Measles vaccine ‘reactions’: Children ate rat poison, doctor says

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan Institute of Medical Science (Pims) clarified on Thursday that seven children brought to the facility after allegedly reacting to the measles vaccine had in fact eaten rat poison pellets.

According to a preliminary investigation carried out by a five-member inquiry committee the children brought to the hospital on February 12 fell ill after eating the pellets.

The committee was headed by Dr Maqbool Hussain, an associate professor and head of the infectious disease unit at the Children’s Hospital.  Other members included CDA Health Services (DHS) Director Dr Hassan Ooroj, Additional Director Dr Khadija Tul Kubra, Islamabad Health Officer Dr Iqbal Afridi, and CDA Vaccination District Supervisor Muhammad Kamran.

“It is important to clarify that these cases have no link with the ongoing anti-measles vaccination drive. The campaign should continue and sensationalist reporting should be avoided,” said Dr Tabish Hazir, head of pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital.

Talking to The Express Tribune, he said all the children lived on the same street and picked up the pellets — which resemble candy — while playing.

“One of the girls had taken a higher dose of rodenticide and was in critical condition, however, she is stable now, while the rest of the children have been discharged,” he added.

Blood samples of the children have already been sent and the results are awaited, Dr Hazir said.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 20^th, 2015.