3 children die, 8 hospitalised after vaccination in Nawabshah

NAWABSHAH: Three children died while at least eight others have fallen seriously ill after they were administered routine immunisation vaccines here on Sunday, aggrieved parents of the victims said.

Reports said in an alleged reaction to protective vaccination against 10 deadly diseases of minor children, three children expired in the Mohallah Maryam Road, following which the vaccination was immediately suspended by the District Health Department and an investigation was initiated. The relatives of the deceased children staged a demonstration and demanded exemplary punishment for the culprits. Assistant District Health Officer, Dr Moeen Shaikh, told the media that the vaccination campaign against 10 deadly diseases of minor children was in progress when on the Maryam Road, some children suffered severe fever and motions after vaccination. He said that their parents brought the children to hospital. However, two-and-a-half-year-old Husnain Brohi and two-year-old Hania expired on way to hospital while a minor Abdul Rehman, just 15-day-old, expired at home.

On the other hand, eight children were admitted to the Peoples University Hospital in serious condition. Experts are investigating in the light of a report whether the children died due to administration of vaccine. Meanwhile, the RMP Emergency Department, People's University

Hospital, Dr Mazhar, said that the situation would be clear after the report of post-mortem and laboratory tests.

On hearing the news, hundreds of people gathered at the hospital. On the other hand, police were hunting for the lady health worker Tehseen for investigation while the vaccination stock was seized.

Meanwhile, three children in critical condition were shifted to Karachi for treatment at the Aga Khan Hospital. The grandmother of deceased child Husnain Brohi said that he was the only child of his parents. Two-year-old Hania also met the same fate and died after administration of vaccine.