As many as 25 students of Sahabad ME Madrassa under Katlicherra revenue circle in Assam’s southern district of Hailakandi complained of nausea, stomach ache and fever after being administered with Measles Rubella (MR) vaccine on Saturday.
Deputy Commissioner, Hailakandi, Adil Khan has ordered a probe into the incident to be headed by Joint Director, Health Services and District Immunization Officer and asked them to submit a report to him immediately.
Local MLA Suzamuddin Laskar, District Development Commissioner FR Laskar, Additional Deputy Commissioner EL Fairhiem, Circle Officer James Aind and other officials visited the school and the Block PHC to take stock of the situation.
Following vaccination just after the mid-day meal, several students complained of nausea, fever, stomach ache and vomiting and had to be admitted to the nearest Katlicherra Block PHC for treatment.
Joint Director of Health Services Dr Avijit Basu, who rushed to the site, informed that six students have been hospitalized while the rest are kept under observation and would be discharged soon.
Dr Basu said he had examined the vaccines administered to 120 students of the school in the afternoon and found them to be in order.
District Immunization Officer (DIO) Dr K Thambalsena said there are no serious cases and condition of the students is stable. She said the MR vaccine approved by WHO is being constantly monitored and is of high quality.
The DIO said there was no need to panic as common side effects such as fever, rashes, nausea and dizziness could occur in some cases following MR vaccination.
Dr Thambalsena further disclosed that the MR vaccination campaign has picked up momentum in the last couple of days and there was no serious complaint whatsoever.
She said the vaccination will continue for next couple of weeks till all the children in the age group of nine months and 15 years are vaccinated. The DIO sought the support and cooperation of the parents, teachers, students and elderly for attaining 100% success in MR vaccination drive in the district.
As many as 2.15 lakh children of 1,485 schools in the district will be covered under the MR vaccination drive.