Rubella vaccine death in March:

Charge sheet on person who administered vaccine

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

The Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry has issued a charge sheet to the person who administered the Rubella vaccine to the student Peshala Hansini who died in March.

Investigations are going on into the second death of another student from Kurunegala who died last week, a Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry spokesman said.

A Ministry spokesman said investigations were held into the death of Peshala Hansini who died after receiving Rubella vaccine in March this year.

A special WHO team visited Sri Lanka and conducted a separate investigation in connection with the death.

According to the results of all investigations, the death had been caused due to medical negligence.

But there was a delay in taking action against the culprits due to formal procedures and pressure from health sector trade unions.

According to the spokesman, the Healthcare Ministry uses the Rubella vaccine obtained from an organisation recommended by the WHO.

The vaccine is due to expire in November this year.

For next year, the Ministry will import Rubella vaccine that contains both manufactured date and the date of expiry, the spokesman said.