Infant vaccine re-launched

Nadira Gunatilleke

Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry relaunched the Pentavalent Vaccine in Lanka from February 1, 2010. The vaccine will henceforth be given to all two month, four month and six months old infants.

The vaccine which includes five different vaccines was launched in Sri Lanka in 2008 and suspended after reported allergic reactions, Deputy Director General, Health Services (Public Health), Dr. Palitha Maheepala said. According to Dr. Maheepala the Ministry obtained the services of several foreign and local specialists and scholars to conduct a scientific investigation and a special team including professors were appointed to find out about the vaccine.

The findings proved that there is no connection whatsoever between the vaccine and the allergic reactions reported.

The vaccine was hundred percent safe and of high quality.

The Ministry has already conducted a workshop and a special training for all relevant health officials and health staff who are responsible for carrying out the vaccination program. The vaccine will be given to almost all infants covering the entire infant population in Sri Lanka who are required to be immunized. Earlier two vaccines injected to the legs of an infant to immunize them against five diseases. This new vaccine `Pentavalent’ is a single vaccine in the form of a liquid, he said.

One dose of the vaccine will cost the Government US $ 3.6 and it will be given free. It costs around Rs 3,000 in the private sector. Global Alliance for Vaccination and Immunization (GAVI) funds the Government to carry out the program. The Ministry requests parents to be vigilant on possible allergic reactions in infants during a period of 48 hours after administering the vaccine and seek medical assistance if required.