HAILAKANDI, Sept 9 - Of the 29 students who reportedly fell ill after administering of Measles Rubella (MR) vaccination at Sahabad ME Madrassa under Katlicherra Revenue Circle, were not due to adverse events following immunisation (AEFI).
Meanwhile, 24 students were already discharged yesterday. Of the five referred to the Silchar Medical College and Hospital, two have since been discharged.
District Immunisation Officer (DIO) Dr K Thambalsena disclosed that the students who were reportedly taken ill after administering of MR vaccine were not due to AEFI, but due to anxiety and hysteria induced by fear of being pricked by an injection.
The DIO said the AEFI symptoms generally associated with MR vaccine such as rashes were not seen in yesterday�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 of 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 here have asked the people not to panic as MR vaccine approved by the WHO is highly safe with an impassioned plea to extend support and cooperation to the ongoing MR vaccination campaign in the days ahead.
Deputy Commissioner Adil Khan, Circle Officer of Katlicherra James Aind and DIO Dr Thambalsena immunised their children with MR vaccine, informed in a Government communique.
