Two infants dead, 22 taken ill after vaccination

When they developed fever, they were given wrong medication

Two infants died and at least 22 others, all below six months of age, developed complications after they were allegedly given Tramadol, a painkiller, instead of paracetamol to treat fever which they developed after vaccination. Of the 22 infants undergoing treatment at Niloufer Hospital, at least two were in a critical condition and were on ventilator support.

Parents of the infants alleged that their kids developed complications after taking tablets issued at the Urban Primary Health Centre (UPHC) in Nampally, while District Medical and Health Officer of Hyderabad J Venkat said the children developed fever after immunisation.

On Wednesday, the infants were taken to the UPHC for vaccination. Superintendent of Niloufer Hospital V Murali Krishna said the infants were given Pentavalent, OPV and IPV.

Dr Murali Krishna said children might develop fever after Pentavalent vaccination, and a quarter of paracetamol is given to address it, which is routine immunisation schedule.

“However, these infants were given Tramadol tablet instead of paracetamol,” he said, addressing media persons on Thursday afternoon.