The ongoing MR (Measles Rubella) vaccine drive has raked up a storm in a teacup. Rumours have it, that the vaccines can lead to impotency. While government sources have refuted all the claims, there is no denying the fact that people are still panicking.
Even political leaders have stepped in to create awareness in favour of the vaccination drive. It's been three days since the state government has started a massive campaign to administer the vaccine to 1.6 crore kids between 9 months to 15 years of age, starting from July 16, 2018.
Many rumours are doing the rounds regarding its ill effects and parents are opting out from the drive. Meanwhile, two Muslim MLAs are trying to raise awareness in their community.
"A WhatsApp message has been doing the rounds since Tuesday. In the message, parents are asked not to administer MR vaccine to their children, saying it may cause impotence. This is wrong. People should understand that the government has taken an initiative to prevent kids from contracting serious diseases. We are asking people to not to fall for such fake news," said Imran Khedawala, Congress MLA, Jamalpur-Khadia.
"In some cases, a mild side effect has been seen soon after the vaccine is administered. This is also discouraging parents from participating in the vaccine drive," said Gyasuddin Shaikh, Cong MLA, Dariyapur. "There is a fear among parents that this vaccine will harm their kids. Some of the kids had fainted, making the parents further reluctant to jab the vaccine," said Shaikh.
The government is supporting the drive and informing people that it is absolutely safe and a must vaccine for kids. "There is no need to panic. The right fact is this vaccine is to be given to prevent Measles and Rubella. In 20 states across the nation, around 9 crore children have been given the vaccine and no instance of ill-effect from the vaccine has been reported yet," said Jayanti Ravi, Commissioner, Health, state government.
"WHO, Unicef, All India Association of Paediatrics — all support this vaccination drive. Rubella is a very dangerous disease, often leading to blindness and deafness. If one needs the future to be safeguarded, it is a good idea to participate in this campaign," added Ravi.
In the last three days, more than 21 lakh kids in the state have been vaccinated. Scrapping the rumours, Dr Gaurav Dahiya, Mission Director, National Health Mission, Government of Gujarat, said, "This vaccine is certified by WHO. It is totally safe and efficacious. We are keeping a close vigil on all the centers – urban and primary health centers – where the MR vaccine has been administered. No major side effect has been reported so far. "
CHECK POINT
- It’s been three days since the state government has started a massive campaign to administer the vaccine to 1.6 crore kids between 9 months to 15 years of age, starting from July 16.
- Two Muslim MLAs are trying to raise awareness in their community.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Measles Rubella vaccine")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}