Ministry of health issues clarification to allay fears about vaccine safety
As rumours continue to fly thick and fast despite a government clarification, ministry of health has issued a statement saying polio vaccines are perfectly safe and all babies should continue to be given polio vaccines.
“Recently there are rumors being spread stating not to give polio drops to children upto 5 years as some virus has been found in them. This rumour was spread in response to some reports in sections of media that bivalent Oral Polio Vaccine supplied by a particular company were found “not of standard quality”. Use of bivalent Oral Polio Vaccine manufactured by this particular manufacturer has been stopped in the programme. All the stocks of the said manufacturer have been withdrawn,” the ministry said in a statement.
India continues to be polio-free for more than 7 years. However, since polio cases still occur in a few neighboring countries, India needs to maintain population immunity
Procurement from other manufacturers has already started, the ministry said. There was panic after traces of polio II virus eliminated in 1999 were found in the stools of children in Uttar Pradesh. This followed reports that more than one lakh vials of bivalent polio vaccine had been found to be contaminated by polio II virus.
The government on Wednesday issued a clarification that the polio II virus was actually a heat killed version that is unlikely to cause infection. However the panic has continued.
In a new statement on Thursday the ministry said: “Polio vaccines are absolutely safe and have saved millions of children from disabling effects of polio. All parents must get their children vaccinated against polio to provide protection against polio. Government of India in consultation with WHO has taken all measures to ensure that all vaccines used under the programme are totally safe and effective.”
India continues to be polio-free since for past more than 7 years. However, since polio cases are still occurring in a few neighboring countries, India needs to maintain population immunity against polio to mitigate risk of importation.
