Rubella vaccine deaths:

Expert committee to decide future action

Nadira Gunatilleke

A committee of experts has been appointed to conduct a full unbiased investigation into the death of a schoolgirl who died after receiving the rubella vaccine.

Action will be taken according to the report of the committee, Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said.

Minister de Silva said the committee will find out whether there were any administrative shortcomings or negligence.

Action can be taken depending on the findings of the investigation. The committee cannot hold the investigation within a day or two and it takes time. A statement from the mother of the dead child can be recorded only when her condition becomes normal. The Ministry has no intention to cover up culprits, the Minister said yesterday.

According to Minister de Silva, a WHO team conducted an investigation into the death of schoolgirl from Matara who died in March after receiving the rubella vaccine. According to the findings of the investigation it was caused by an allergy and there were problems in connection with measures that should be taken when reactions appear in a child.

The Ministry gave a special training to health staff and distributed 300 emergency trays countrywide. In addition, it strengthened the guidelines and ordered not to administer rubella vaccine to children in schools when they have a history of allergies. According to the guidelines rubella vaccine is administered to such children only in the nearest hospital.

When tenders called to buy the Rubella vaccine, only Serum Institute of India responded and the tender was given to the institution.