The death of three infants following vaccination a week ago, created alarm in Mandya district. Now, a report submitted by the committee formed by the state government to look into this matter, has reported that two of the deaths did not occur due to faulty vaccines. 

The report on the third death is awaited.

Nearly a week ago, three children died and five other children were taken ill, allegedly after they were given vaccines at an anganwadi centre at Chindagiri village in Mandya district of Karnataka.

Following apprehensions, the department of health and family welfare constituted a committee to investigate the deaths. The State Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI) Committee was chaired by Dr Sarala Sabapathy, HoD of Pediatrics, Vanivilas Hospital and a meeting was held which saw the participation of members of the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare and paediatricians from other hospitals, UNICEF representatives, WHO-NPSP, IAP, Indian Medical Association Representatives, Bruhat Bebnagluru Mahanagara Palike officials and RCH Officer, Mandya.

According to the committee, one of the children Namratha, died due to severe pneumonia. Another child Preetham, they said, died due to sepsis. “Both deaths are not due to vaccination. In case of child Bhuvan, cause of death was not arrived at and we are waiting for post mortem report and laboratory report from Kasauli,” the committee has said.

Meanwhile, the state’s health department said the government of India official has confirmed that the same batch of vaccines are in use in other states also and no untoward incidents have been reported. Even in Karnataka, about 40,000 doses have been used with no side effects reported.

It may be recalled that the families of these children had complained that the deaths had happened after Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) workers had vaccinated these children with doses of pentavalent vaccine. Parents of two of these children had reported that they were crying inconsolably after being given the vaccine. These children were later rushed to Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences for treatment.

Parents of the children who died and some of them who had fallen ill sat in protest in front of the hospital demanding justice. They also sought that the government take action against nurses and ASHA workers who had injected the vaccine. Meanwhile, Superintendent of Police Radhika said that a complaint has been filed against the ASHA workers at the Central police station.