NHM asks state about two cases

Neena Sharma

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, December 7

Lack of timely reports by the Uttarakhand Department of Health has delayed the assessment of causes relating to two cases of adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) reported in children in Gadarpur this year and in Uttarakashi last year. CK Mishra, Secretary, National Health Mission (NHM), has sent a reminder to Chief Secretary S Ramaswamy, seeking urgent action in the matter.

A baby in Gadarpur, after being an administered an immunisation jab in April this year, had reported symptoms of swelling and mild fever (AEFI). Similar reactions were also reported by the immunisation team when a baby was administered an immunisation jab in Uttarkashi in November last year.

According to the National AEFI guidelines of 2015, a specific timeline and guidelines have been issued for case reporting and investigations. Despite these guidelines, after the initial case reporting, the Uttarakhand Health Department failed to complete the investigation so that a quality causality assessment of the cases could be done.

Significantly, the surveillance of AEFI is an important component of the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP). After the reporting of the cases, the state immunisation officers have to prepare case sheets comprising hospital records, laboratory test results, verbal autopsy reports etc. After which the state committee on the AEFI conducts the final causality assessment and then submits the report to the Centre.

In the Gadarpur case, the state health authorities have not been able to submit the report relating to the condition of the cold chain store where the vaccines are stored. While in the Uttarkashi case, the autopsy report has not been furnished.

Timely and consistent reporting from field are vital for the success of immunisation programmes. Asked about the cause of delay in wrapping up these these two cases, Dr Saroj Naithani, Joint Director of the immunisation programme, said, “the State AEFI committee will be meeting shortly to discuss the two cases. The final report will then be sent to the central team for arriving at the final inference,” said Naithani.

Significantly, India is assessed regularly by international experts through the National Regulatory Authority for the safety of vaccines. It is also the largest manufacturer of vaccines and is exporting vaccines to other countries. Therefore, issues of vaccine safety are of paramount importance and cannot be ignored.