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Baby Girls Die in India Two Days After Getting Measles-Rubella Vaccine

Indian baby's arm

Eleven-month-old Astha Godange died at the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Nagpur, India on Dec. 17, 2018, two days after being given the measles-rubella (MR) vaccine. The baby girl was vaccinated on Dec. 15, 2018 in a village in the Bhandara district. Within two hours, she reportedly vomited and “showed signs of poor health.”1

Astha was taken by her parents to a nearby rural hospital. As the child’s condition continued to deteriorate, her parents moved her to the GMCH on Dec. 16.  Astha died on Dec. 17, reportedly of gastroenteritis (inflammation of the lining of the intestines).1 2 3 One news report cited “toxic shock syndrome” as the cause of death.1

Astha’s four-year-old brother Sargam, who received the MR vaccine along with his sister, was also treated at the GMCH for similar intestinal symptoms but was discharged from the hospital on Dec. 18.2 3

On Dec. 7, 2018, 11-month-old Aradhya Waghaye also died at the GMCH two days after getting the MR vaccine. The child’s primary autopsy report noted toxic shock syndrome as the cause of death. As with Astha, Aradhya had also started vomiting and developed other complications two hours after being vaccinated.4

Both deaths are under investigation by Indian health authorities. Assistant commissioner of India’s Food and Drug Administration S. B. Patil said, “With these cases, we have written to the CDSCO (Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation) and we will conduct a joint investigation with them. Further action will depend on the investigation findings and probe. The samples of the vaccines from both the batches have been sent to the laboratory and we are waiting for the reports.”5


References:

1 Varandani S. 11-Month-Old Dies After Complications Caused By Measles-Rubella Vaccine. International Business Times Dec. 14, 2018.
2 Deshpande V. Mumbai: Baby dies three days after getting MR vaccine. The Indian Express Dec. 20, 2018.
3 Baby dies due to MR vaccine complication in Nagpur. United News of India Dec. 20, 2018.
4
Shrivastav S. 11-month-old Lakhni girl dies during vaccination drive. TNN Dec. 14, 2018.
5
Purandare V. After 2 deaths, vaccine samples sent for probe. The Asian Age Jan. 4, 2019.

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