Girl child dies after administering Hepatitis-B vaccine

Tirunelveli, Apr 29 (UNI) The death of an eight-month-old girl child after being administered Hepatitis-B vaccine at the Corporation Hospital here last evening has kicked up another row over the quality of vaccines administered at the government hospitals in the state.

The deceased G Muthunagu, daughter of Ganesan (30), a coolie worker of Kailasapuram locality, was given a Hepatitis-B vaccination at the Corporation Hospital here on April 23, last. Since then, the child was suffering from fever and her parents gave medicines to her for the fever to reduce.

The baby was rushed to the Corporation Hospital yesterday afternoon, after the temperature rose. She developed fits and passed away subsequently.

Tension mounted at the hospital as the locals and relatives of the deceased had argued with the hospital authorities that the baby died due to the vaccine.

Meanwhile, state Health Department refuted the reports that the child died of vaccination.

A senior official of the Office of the Deputy Director of Health Services told UNI that lack of immunity and illness might be the reasons for the death.

While several other children, who were also vaccinated, were in good condition, how this child could die of the same vaccine, he asked. However, a detailed probe would be conducted into the death of the child, he said.

It may be recalled that four children, including three girls from Tiruvallur district died soon after they were administered the measles vaccine at the Government hospital on April 23 last, sparking a row over the quality of medicines supplied through government hospitals.

UNI GSM DS RL AS1419