RAWALPINDI: After eight children died due to measles in multiple hospitals of Rawalpindi over the span of 30 days, the health department launched an inquiry to gauge the authenticity of the vaccination drive.

The deaths – four each – reported at Benazir Bhutto Hospital and Holy Family Hospital due to measles prompted the Punjab healthcare department to send an inquiry team led by Expanded Programme of Immunisation (EPI) Additional Director Dr Waseem Ahmed to probe the matter.

Dr Ahmed conducted a meeting with District Health Officer Dr Ehsan Ghani, District Superintendent Vaccination Ch Muhammad Hussain during his visit to Pindi in light of the measles outbreak in the garrison city. A senior official of the District Health Authority told Dawn that the provincial government was worried about the spread of measles in the district which led to the death of eight children in just a month.

He said that the team checked the record of the anti-measles vaccination drive in the district and sent it to its Lahore office in order to compile a report.

Deaths prompt inquiry into vaccination campaign as officials fear ‘measles outbreak’

He said that Dr Waseem met senior officials of the health authority and also interviewed the vaccinators.

The official claimed during the last campaign, more than 2.3 million children were vaccinated against measles.

However, in light of these deaths, the health authorities were worried about the authenticity of this drive.

When contacted, Dr Waseem Ahmed confirmed that he visited the offices of district health authorities to investigate the deaths caused by measles.

However, he claimed that it was a routine visit to check the record of vaccination and that a final report in this regard would be complete by the next week.

The health official said that he has access to records pertaining to the vaccination drive.

Regional Director of Health Dr Anser Ishaq told Dawn that he was not aware of any inquiry into the vaccination drive.

He agreed that the deaths of children due to measles were alarming.

He added that measles vaccines were necessary to protect children from pneumonia, malnutrition, and brain diseases.

Dr Ishaq said that combined vaccines against measles, mumps, and rubella immunise children against measles and added that the first dose of the vaccine should ideally be given to babies, 12-13 months old.

“Children are given a second dose also called booster dose before they start school, usually between the ages of three and five. The second dose can also be given three months after the first,” he said, adding that about 5 to 10 per cent of children do not develop complete immunity after the first dose, therefore the second dose is required for increased protection. After the booster dose less than 1pc of children still have the risk of getting measles, Dr Ishaq added.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2023