KL Report
SRINAGAR
The five-member team of union health ministry is ascertaining the cause of infant deaths that have taken place allegedly after being administered Pentavalent vaccine given under immunization programme to protect infants from Hepatitis-B, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis and Hib (Haemophilus Influenzae Type-B).
The team headed by Dr. N.K. Arora visited many government hospitals in various districts of Kashmir today ascertaining the facts which led to death of five infants allegedly due to Vaccination, sources told KNS.
“Five infants have died in the Kashmir last week and the team is ascertaining the cause of these deaths,” Taj Mohi-u-Din, minister for medical education told KNS. The medical education minister said: “We are ascertaining the facts from the ground. There are five infant deaths where we are ascertaining the cause. The central team is here but they are assisting us to reach out to the cause of deaths.”
He informed KNS that Pentavalent vaccination is a government of India programme which is being implemented across the country and there are no reports of any adverse effects. “This vaccination programme is being implemented in the whole country and Crores of children are being administered this vaccine. No adverse effects of this vaccination have been reported sofar.”
Taj told KNS that medical superintendent of G B Pant hospital had given an irresponsible statement wherein he had said that the two infant deaths that took place in the hospital Thursday evening were due to Pentavalent vaccine administered to these babies.
“The Medical Superintendent gave his verdict before ascertaining the facts. The central team in coordination with state authorities is ascertaining the facts and as the report comes, we will know what led to the death of five infants in Valley. Unfortunately, some people are blowing this number (five infant deaths) out of proportion, which is not a fact.
Pertinently, these deaths had sparked off massive protests against G B Pant hospital administration.
Although a detailed investigation has been ordered into these allegations, the central team has started surprise inspections across the Valley. Sources told KNS, that the team visited Budgam, Pulwama, Shopian, Anantnag and Baramulla hospitals.
