At least two children have died in the last three days during the Gujarat government's ongoing Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccination drive.
The family members of the deceased have blamed the "adverse reactions" caused by the vaccination as the reason behind the deaths.
As many as 30 children in Bhiloda taluka in tribal-dominated Arvalli district had taken ill after receiving the MR vaccine, a health official said today.
The deceased were identified as Dimple Maheswari (13) and Mukesh Ninama (7) who hailed from Kutch and Aravlli districts, respectively.
The Health Department has ordered a probe into the death of Dimple Maheshwari in Khirsara village, a senior officer said even as he ruled out any connection between vaccination and the death of the girl.
According to police, Maheshwari suddenly collapsed at her house this morning.
She was rushed to a health centre in Naliya town, where doctors declared her brought dead, a Kothara police official said.
The police have registered a case of accidental death.
"The girl's family members have alleged that she died because of the adverse effects of the MR vaccine given to her a few days back. We have sent the body for postmortem to ascertain the exact cause of the death," said the official.
The Gujarat government launched a statewide vaccination drive on July 16 to protect children in the age group of nine months to 15 years, from measles and rubella.
Chief District Health Officer (CDHO) for Kutch Dr Pankaj Kumar Pandey said a three-member team has been formed to probe Maheshwari's death.
Dr Pandey, however, ruled out the possibility of any link between vaccination and the death of the girl.
"Over 100 children in that village were given the vaccine. If at all there was any problem in the vaccine, it could have affected all these children. But that is not the case. We have sent a three-member team to that village to probe the death of that girl," he said.
The CDHO said there is a gap of almost five days since the administration of the vaccine to Maheshwari on July 19 and her death.
"Had there been any problem with the vaccine, the adverse effects whatsoever would have been noticed that day itself. Of over 1 lakh children in Kutch district covered under the drive till now, no such case has surfaced," he said.
On July 22, seven-year-old Ninama, a class II student from Bhiloda taluka in Arvalli district, died four days after he was administered the vaccine, according to the police.
As per a complaint registered by Bhiloda police station, the boy died after suffering an epilepsy attack.
"The boy was given the MR vaccine four days before he died. His family members have claimed that the vaccine was responsible for his death. We are awaiting the postmortem report so that we can know the exact cause of the death," said Inspector A S Patel.
Bhiloda CDHO Dr Amarnath Verma said around 30 children in Bhiloda taluka alone fell ill after they were administered the MR vaccine.
However, Dr Verma maintained that vaccine cannot be blamed for the adverse health conditions.
"This vaccine does cause some mild effects, as the body reacts to it. But, there are no ill effects of this vaccine. It is also possible that the children fell ill because of the seasonal diseases. Many who fell ill were already given discharge after primary treatment," said Dr Verma.
Ever since the vaccine drive was kicked off, reports have been coming in from various parts of the state about its possible adverse effects.
However, the state authorities have maintained that the vaccine is safe and there is no need to panic.
"We have received some cases from some of the districts. But, this cannot be called as the adverse effect of the vaccine. Sometimes children feel uneasy due to tension. Otherwise, there is no need to panic. This vaccine is absolutely safe," said Gujarat Health Commissioner Jayanti Ravi.
Chief Minister Vijay Rupani had also stressed that the vaccine was safe for children.
"Lakhs of children have been given this vaccine till now. If at all it was not good, then all of them could have been affected. But, that is not the case. However, we will also investigate how some children fell ill after taking that vaccine," the chief minister had said.
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