Deepa Suryanarayan

The recent deaths of four infants - they died after being administered measles vaccine at Tiruvallur in Tamil Nadu - have raised questions about the efficacy of the vaccine.

Following the news, several anxious parents across the city called up paediatricians and general practitioners to enquire whether measles vaccines were safe and necessary.

“I received at least a dozen calls from worried parents, asking me about the measles vaccine,” said Dr Bakul Parekh, a child specialist who runs Parekh Hospital in Ghatkopar.

“I have told them measles vaccine is a must, as it can save a child’s life.”

Paediatricians in the city are of opinion that measles vaccine is essential and should be given to children at the right age.

“It (the vaccine) prevents thousands of deaths every year,” said Indu Khosla, paediatrician, Hinduja Hospital.

After a bout of measles, a child might suffer an increased risk of contracting pneumonia, diarrhoea, malnutrition, vitamin A deficiency and even tuberculosis, she added. On the other hand, it is a well-acknowledged fact that every vaccine has its side-effects. “In the case of measles vaccine, the child may suffer from mild fever, or develop rashes five to seven days after being administered the dose,” said Khosla.

“However, I have never come across a case in which a child has suffered more than a mild fever after being vaccinated.”

According to Dr Parekh, measles vaccination is recommended by the WHO. “A child with measles can contract pulmonary broncho-pneumonia, which can lead to fatal complications,” he said.

“Only one in 10 lakh children administered the dose can suffer encepahlitis. It’s a very very rare occurrence,” said Parekh.

“The government covers 50 to 70 per cent children in its measles drive. In fact, efforts should be made to make it 100 per cent,” said general practitioner Dr SN Acharya. The vaccine costs Rs12-15 at a government hospital and Rs100 in a private clinic. The shot given at the age of nine months, gives close to 85 per cent immunity. Another shot, MMR - given between 15 and 18 months - guards against mumps and measles.

Meanwhile, even as a health ministry team from New Delhi is investigating the deaths, Union health minister Anbumani Ramadoss has decided to not take any chances and has suspended the national measles inoculation drive temporarily.

At least 10 states, including Maharashtra, which were to use over four lakh measles vaccine produced by the Hyderabadbased Human Biologicals Institute in their routine immunisation programmes have been asked by the Centre to stop its use immediately.

Samples of the vaccine have been sent to a national laboratory for testing. A team of health experts is examining how the vaccine was stored and how health workers administered it.

“We received a written order on Friday morning instructing us to withdraw the vaccine. Accordingly, we have instructed health officials in have already instructed all districts across the state to stop the use of the vaccine,” confirmed Dr PP Doke, director, Health Services.

Source : DNA