Centre to depute team of experts to probe vaccination deaths

Chennai, Apr 24 (UNI) Taking serious exception to the death of four infants after they were administered measles vaccine at a headquarters hospital in Tiruvallur yesterday, the Centre today decided to depute a team of experts for an on the spot investigation.

Union Health Minister Dr Anbumani Ramadoss, who convened an emergency meeting in New Delhi decided to depute a team of experts from Indian Council of Medical Research, National Institute of Communicable Diseases, Directorate General of Health Services and Drug Controller General of India to visit the area and inquire about the mishap, an official release here said.

The team would test the quality of vaccine, status of the cold chain, quality of diluents, distribution and administraion of the vaccine, including human error that had led to the death of four infants, it said.

The expert team would also have discussions with the Tamil Nadu government officers in this regard and submit its report at the earliest, the release said.

The experts of the National Polio Surveillance Project (NPSP) of World Health Organisation (WHO) have already been deputed to assist the state government officials in the investigation on the cause of the deaths.

The samples of the measles vaccine, manufactured and supplied by Indian Immunological Limited, have been sent to Central Drugs Laboratory for quality testing, the release added.

Orders have also been issued to stop further supply of measles vaccine from the manufacturer untill further orders, it said.

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