Odisha dismisses side effects rumour of measles-rubella vaccine

Bhubaneswar: Odisha government dismissed the rumours about side effects of measles-rubella vaccine following the media reports.

The Health department appealed to people not to panic about the side effects of the vaccine that is being provided to all the children at free of cost across the state to eradicate deadly measles and rubella virus.

It is required to know the truth before coming to any conclusion on basis of rumour carried out by media, the health department said.

Recently, the media reported alleged side effects occurred due to measles-rubella vaccination in the past three days in some districts since the launching of the drive by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on January 29.

However, the health department termed those rumours as ‘false’.

Sources in the department said that around 6.7 crore children have been vaccinated in 13 states including Odisha and union territories so far. However, there is no single incident reported about side effects of the vaccine among any children.

Normally, the side effects occur in the body within half an hour of the vaccination. Therefore, the children are suggested to stay at the vaccine centre for 30 minutes after the vaccination.

The arrangements have been made by the health department to respond to the situation quickly if any side effect occurs in any place due to measles-rubella vaccine, source said.

The department also urged the citizens not to panic about the side effects due to vaccination.

Total 1.13 crore children between the age group 8 and 15 will be vaccinated in the measles-rubella vaccination drive in Odisha. Over 19 lakh children have been vaccinated so far in past two days in the state. The five-week programme will continue till March 26.