Awareness on Rubella vaccine:

Media support sought to clear misconceptions

Sakuntala JAYASINGHE

The co-operation of the media is essential to clear public misconceptions about the Rubella vaccine to ensure the success of the national immunization programme, said Epidemiologist Dr Sudath Pieris.

Dr Peiris was addressing a workshop on the national immunization programme attended by provincial media personnel at the Provincial Health Director's Office in Anuradhapura.

Dr Pieris said the Rubella vaccination programme was disrupted in 2009 due to the death of two schoolgirls following the Rubella vaccination and a resulting allergic reaction.

Some distorted and unfounded stories based on these two incidents caused a reluctance on the part of parents to give this vaccine to their children.

However all fears about this vaccine are unfounded as the particular vaccine has been quality tested and approved by the renowned Therapeutic Goods Administration in Australia.