Deaths of two infants in Mandya, parents blame pentavalent vaccination

Mandya: Two infants died after receiving Pentavalent vaccination. This tragic incident took place at Chindagiridoddi in Mandya taluk on Friday night.

The deceased babies have been identified as Preetham, one-and-a-half month old who died on Friday night and Bhuvan, a two-months-old baby who died on Saturday. Nine babies from Chindagiridoddi and Gopalapura villages were given Pentavalent vaccination by health workers. Seven babies who received the vaccination under mass immunization drive have been kept under observation at Mandya Institute of Medical Science (MIMS) Hospital.

The villagers of Chandagiridoddi are accusing the vaccination for deaths of the infants. They staged a protest in front of MIMS Hospital here on Saturday.

Speaking to the reporters, District Health Officer Dr K Mohan said that it is too early to conclude that the infants have died because of the Pentavalent vaccination. Seven other babies who received the vaccinations are administered in the hospital and are healthy. However, the cause of the death is being investigated, he said.

The Mandya Rural police have registered a case and investigations are in progress.

What’s pentavalent vaccine?

Pentavalent vaccine is a vaccine given to provide protection to a child from five life-threatening diseases – diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis B and influenza B. The vaccine, as part of Universal Immunisation Programme, is being administered to babies in three doses – at 6, 10 and 14 weeks.