Four children died at the Rambagh hospital in Adipur in Kutch district of Gujarat on Wednesday after they were given oral vaccinations for measles.
According to a government spokesman, seven children in the 0-1 age group from a slum colony were given the oral vaccines by Health Department officials. Four of them soon developed adverse symptoms and were rushed to hospital where they died during treatment. Till evening, Collectorate officials had not been able to trace the whereabouts and the condition of the other three children, who too were given the vaccines from the same batch.
Describing the death of the children as “very tragic and shocking,” Chief Minister Narendra Modi ordered immediate suspension of the oral vaccination drive and instituted a high-level inquiry.
Expressing sympathy for family members of the deceased children, Mr. Modi said “very stern action” would be taken if anyone was found guilty of negligence. He also announced an assistance of Rs. one lakh each to the bereaved families.
