Two babies die in Mandya, parents blame pentavalent vaccine

Two babies died reportedly after being administered pentavalent vaccination at Chindagiridoddi in the taluk on Friday night.

Preetam, one-and-a-half months old boy died on Friday night, while Bhuvan, a two-months old baby, breathed its last in the wee hours of Saturday.

The health workers had administered pentavalent vaccination to nine babies at Chindagiridoddi and Gopalapura villages on Friday.

Seven babies which had received the vaccination, under mass immunisation drive, have been kept under observation at Mandya Institute of Medical Science (MIMS) Hospital.

The villagers of Chandagiridoddi, blaming vaccination for deaths, staged a protest in front of MIMS Hospital here on Saturday.

District Health Officer Dr K Mohan told DH, "It is too early to say that the babies have died because of pentavalent vaccination. We are looking to the cause of death. Seven other babies, which were administered the vaccination, are healthy."

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

What's pentavalent vaccine?

Pentavalent vaccine provides 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.