COIMBATORE: Ahead of the measles-rubella (MR) vaccination drive in Tamil Nadu, messages doing the rounds in social media like WhatsApp and Facebook are warning parents from vaccinating children.
According to these messages, the vaccination will harm children and will not raise their immunity. Indeed, it would weaken children, as most children are already receiving the same vaccines as part of their vaccination schedule, they say.
“It is unfortunate that some people are posting such messages,” said J Radhakrishnan, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Tamil Nadu.
“Success in every vaccination programme is achieved through complete participation. When everyone participates, the full coverage ensures that we can together eradicate the disease,” he added and appealed to the public to go by peer-reviewed articles rather than such opinions.
The government decided to conduct the drive only after a detailed analysis. It has been proven that MR vaccine does not have any side effect, said Pradeep Kumar, Deputy Commissioner for Immunisation, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
“In routine vaccination, not every child is covered. Lakhs are left out. Roughly 15 percent of those vaccinated does not develop antibodies to the disease. Bodies of another 5-10 percent of children lose memory of immunisation after five years,” he added.
Less than five percent of the whole population show any allergic reaction to it, he said when asked about children the problem. The too happens only the first time. If a child has already been vaccinated for the diseases, parents have nothing to worry.
Asked about precautions in place in the eventuality of a small percent of children developing allergies, Pradeep Kumar said the AEFI (Adverse Events Following Immunisation) system was strengthened.
“Every medical officer or nurse involved in the programme is trained. So there is no compromise on safety and quality. They have been instructed to be alert. If a child has a reaction, the parents must ensure that they are taken to the doctor and inform him of the vaccine received,” he added.