State clueless about unauthorised H1N1 vaccination camp

On December 25 last year, Deccan Herald had reported about this Trust, which conducts door-to-door campaign to enlist people for the mass vaccination camp usually held in a government school. The Trust, located in Banashakari 3rd Stage has conducted several such camps across the City and usually approached houses claiming that the camps have Health Department’s approval.

The Trust’s representatives, mostly students, collect Rs 10 per person for registration and issue a receipt.

In the last two months, the Trust held camps in Vibhuthipura Government School and Oxford School in HAL Layout. Since the camp was not officially sanctioned, the quality of vaccine administered is questionable.

District Health Officer (DHO) Dr M Thimmappa, who is authorised to sanction such camps, stressed that he has not given permission to anyone including this Trust to carry out mass immunisation camp for the last one-and-a-half years. Even if the permission was granted to the Trust by his predecessor, it would have been valid only for six months.

When questioned what he was doing to stop the Trust from conducting such camps, he appeared helpless.

"We have booked two cases against Rame Gowda, who is a member of the Trust, at Anekal in November and December, last year. My officials also warned the people from the Trust on two occasions in Varthur and Sarakki. I have limitations, as I cannot arrest them. The police should take the complaints seriously and act on it," said Dr Thimmappa.

It is learnt that Gowda used to hire students to carry out immunisation and would pay them Rs 200 per day. As for the credibility and conduct of the MBBS doctor whose name is prominently printed on the Trust's receipt, Dr Thimmappa assured to look into the matter.

Strangely, the Anekal police said there was no complaint and no case registered at the police station. If anyone gets to know about a vaccination camp organised by this Trust, the District Health Officer could be contacted.