When Vaccine Turns Killer
Outlook|May 29, 2017

A recent immunisation drive in rural Bihar went horribly wrong. What all ails the health mission?

Arushi Bedi
When Vaccine Turns Killer

Under the bright summer sun, melancholy pervades Patori in north­west Bihar. If the lush litchi plantations across Muzaffarpur district are in anticipation of pre­monsoon showers, the people of this village in Aurai block are waiting for justice, having suffered an unexpected tragedy this month. They lost three babies, allegedly due to complications in vaccines administered for measles and Japanese encephalitis. Altogether nine children between the ages of 12 to bihar 18 months fell sick after being served with the preparation under the union government’s universal immunisation programme (UIP).

Of the three children who died, Sonu Kumar and Raja Babu reportedly fell sick within hours of being administered the vaccines. “Their arms turned black,” says Gunaur Sahani, the father of Sonu Kumar. “They had high fever and vomited several times after the vaccination.” Sahani claims he got no response to repeated calls to resident ASHA (accredited social health activist) worker Shakuntala Devi. Finding little improvement in the children’s condition till the wee hours of the next day, the families rushed the children to the nearest government hospital. It was a two-hour ride on bikes. Both the children were declared dead on arrival.

Within 24 hours, ten more vaccine administered children in the village got unwell and were rushed to hospital. All the children were kept under supervision at the Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) in Muzaffarpur, where the third child Rohit Kumar lost his life. The other nine were prescribed antibiotics and sent home the next day. Dr Braj Mohan, the paediatrician who had treated the children, dubs it a case of “mass panic”. “They were brought to the hospital after the death of the first two. Most of them showed mild reaction to the vaccines; they were perfectly healthy,” he tells Outlook.

This story is from the May 29, 2017 edition of Outlook.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the May 29, 2017 edition of Outlook.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM OUTLOOKView All
The Man Who Shot Deewaar
Outlook

The Man Who Shot Deewaar

Most of Yash Chopra's iconic films, including Deewaar, Kabhi Kabhie and Silsila were shot by the prolific Kay Gee

time-read
5 mins  |
April 01, 2024
Acting Away Oppression
Outlook

Acting Away Oppression

Virendra Ganvir uses theatre as a medium to confront the societal inequalities associated with manual scavenging

time-read
5 mins  |
April 01, 2024
Bonding with the Bonds
Outlook

Bonding with the Bonds

The revelation of donor-recipient connections in electoral bonds may cause discomfort to the BJP-the biggest beneficiary. But many others are looking for cover, too

time-read
6 mins  |
April 01, 2024
"We need ideas, patience, and hope"
Outlook

"We need ideas, patience, and hope"

Over the last few years, several human rights organisations have been demanding the release of former Delhi University professor Gokarakonda Naga (G N) Saibaba. On March 5, 2024, the Bombay High Court acquitted Saibaba along with Hem Mishra, Mahesh Tirki, Vijay Tirki, Prashant Rahi, and Pandu Narote.

time-read
5 mins  |
April 01, 2024
The Iron Harvest
Outlook

The Iron Harvest

The farming community has always been given great significance when it comes to poll promises and manifestoes. But many of their issues have never been resolved

time-read
5 mins  |
April 01, 2024
The Young and the Restless
Outlook

The Young and the Restless

Nearly two crore young voters will cast ballots for their next government this year. One of their major issues - unemployment

time-read
5 mins  |
April 01, 2024
The Female Factor
Outlook

The Female Factor

Female voters are set to outnumber male voters by the 2029 Lok Sabha elections in India. Yet, the number of women in the political domain remains woefully low

time-read
6 mins  |
April 01, 2024
The Politics of New Castes
Outlook

The Politics of New Castes

With the Prime Minister announcing the poor, women, farmers, and the youths as new caste categories, it would be interesting to see its impact on the upcoming General Elections

time-read
9 mins  |
April 01, 2024
The Runaway Groom
Outlook

The Runaway Groom

Tribal communities in the country have had interesting and unique wedding customs, but most have gone extinct with time

time-read
4 mins  |
April 01, 2024
Truly Traditional
Outlook

Truly Traditional

As the trend of lavish five-day weddings becomes the norm, many are going back to the roots to revive lapsed traditions

time-read
6 mins  |
April 01, 2024