adminImmunisation is surrounded by myths and misconceptions. Some parents and guardians are concerned about vaccine safety and effectiveness but medical practitioners have repeatedly said that the risk of complications from childhood diseases is much higher than the risk of immunisation reactions.
Researchers in the medical field have not established any link between immunisation and autism, diabetes or sudden unexpected death in infancy and they add, serious side effects or allergic reactions to vaccines are rare.
Even the World Health Organisation has been preaching the immunisation gospel, insisting vaccines are very safe. While some kids have reacted after being immunised, what has been established is that most vaccine reactions are usually minor and temporary, such as a sore arm or mild fever.
It is also not surprising that there could be minor reactions because vaccines are just like any other medication and are likely to have side effects. The Ministry of Health and Child Care last week vaccinated children aged between nine months and 15 years against Measles Rubella. They also received Vitamin A supplementation under the catch-up campaign.
While the programme went smoothly across the country, there was a report from Jotsholo in Matabeleland North where there were claims that one child died after being vaccinated. The story sent shivers down the spines of many parents who were afraid that the same fate might befall their loved ones, especially coming against a background of myths and false stories told in the streets that a number of children have died in recent years after being vaccinated.
Such unfounded reports have led to many people shunning such programmes, and some communities like church sects actually do not send their children to hospital, citing these and other religious reasons for staying away.
However, the Ministry has come out to clear the air concerning the child who died in Jotsholo. Matabeleland North provincial medical director Dr Nyasha Masuka said the three-year-old baby boy died of aspiration (drawing in vomit) and not complications related to immunisation. He said while at home the child’s condition deteriorated as he began passing bloody diarrhoea, prompting the mother to return with the child to the clinic on the following morning.
“The child was unconscious, he had a fever and was coughing. He was admitted into the ward but unfortunately died a few hours after admission. Postmortem results into the cause of death for the child show that he died of aspiration and it is not in any way related to complications of the rubella and measles vaccine or Vitamin A supplement.”
Dr Masuka said bloody diarrhoea was usually a result of a bacteria and there was no way the child could have developed a bacterial infection in that short space of time between the time he was immunised and the time he started passing bloody diarrhoea.
Of note is that two days after the boy was admitted into the clinic, his mother also got admitted into the same clinic with the same symptoms and health officials have also requested for water samples from the source the family was getting its water for further investigations. The explanation from Dr Masuka was important to dispel any myths out there about immunisation.
derick.khumalo
Online Reporter