Rajkot:

Amid reports of deaths of children due to Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) Vaccine during the ongoing statewide immunization drive since July 16, Minister of State for Health, Family Welfare and Medical Education Kishor Kanani today said that such reports were base-less and causing fear among people.

Kanani, who was on the whirlwind review visit of 3 civil hospitals in Morbi, Rajkot and Porbandar today told newsmen here that such reports were results of misunderstanding.

‘The immunization drive has been started to make the children and in-turn the nation strong and healthy. But due to misunderstanding or some other reason such baseless things were being spread about it. There has been no death due to MMR vaccination anywhere. At some places the weaker children have seen some degree of fever after it but it went off soon. There were no side-effect of the vaccine,’ he said.

The Minister said, ‘such things creates fear in the minds of people who then hesitate in going for immunization of their children.’

He also said that a central team was investigating the whole matter.

Notably reports of death of a few children and falling ill of many others after vaccination had emerged from various parts of the state. Though none of these have been fully substantiated. So far over 70% target of the immunization campaign has been achieved.

DeshGujarat