Students taken ill in Hailakandi not due to AEFI but anxiety, hysteria

Hailakandi (Assam), September 9, 2018:

Twenty nine students, who reportedly fell ill after they were administered Measles Rubella (MR) vaccines at Sahabad ME Madrassa under Katlicherra revenue circle of Hailakandi district, were not due to adverse events following immunization (AEFI).

According to official sources, 24 students were discharged from hospital on Saturday. Of the five referred to Silchar Medical College and Hospital, two have been discharged.

District Immunization Officer (DIO) Dr. K Thambalsena disclosed that the students reportedly taken ill were not due to AEFI but due to anxiety and hysteria induced by injection fear. The DIO said the AEFI symptoms generally associated with MR vaccine such as rashes were not seen in Saturday’s incident.

“Medical examination of the students who were taken ill was not due to MR vaccination but due to anxiety and hysteria induced by the fear factor of being injected,” she added.

Joint Director, Health Services, Dr. Avijit Basu, who rushed to the site of the incident and personally monitored the whole situation, categorically stated that had it been cases of AEFI, all the 120 students vaccinated at the school would have fallen ill.

The health authorities have asked the people not to panic as MR vaccine approved by the World Health Organisation is highly safe.

Deputy Commissioner Adil Khan, Circle Officer, Katlicherra, James Aind and DIO Dr. Thambalsena immunized their children with MR vaccine.