SRINAGAR: Minister for Medical Education Taj Mohi-u-Din Sunday said that Pentavalent vaccine is not fake and it may not be the sole reason for infant deaths.
“Those who attribute deaths to this vaccine should know it is not fake but supplied by the Government of India and it is used all over country. There may be other reasons for infant deaths which need to be investigated,” Taj said adding that no adverse reactions from Pantavalent was reported till now.
He said that five-member union Health Ministry team is assisting investigations into the death of infants and we are waiting for their report.
Meanwhile, Director Family Welfare, Dr Baldev Sharma said that after collecting samples and details from Children Hospital Srinagar, the five-member team visited Shopian, Baramulla and Budgam on Sunday.
“So far we have not found Pentavalent the cause of infant deaths. After thorough investigations we would make the facts public,” Sharma said.
He said if somebody is terming Pantavalent vaccine responsible for the deaths in his hospital, that would be his assessment and till it is not scientifically proved, we can’t describe the said vaccine as fake and lethal for children.
Pertinently, Pentavalent vaccine, also known as Easy-Five, is given to protect infants from hepatitis-B, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and Hib (haemophilus influenzae type-b).
