SHRC seeks report on mysterious death of 15-yr-old after vaccination in Andhra

Activists also demanded a compensation of Rs 50 lakh for the family who lost the girl.
SHRC seeks report on mysterious death of 15-yr-old after vaccination in Andhra
SHRC seeks report on mysterious death of 15-yr-old after vaccination in Andhra
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Andhra Pradesh's State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) issued notices to the Principal Secretary, medical and health, on Friday, asking for a detailed report on the mysterious death of a 13-year-old girl.

K. Chenchu Lakshmi, a resident of Yanadi Colony in Tadepalli, had died within a few hours of receiving a Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine on August 17.

The MR-VAC vaccine, which prevents measles and rubella, is generally administered to children between the ages of nine months and 15 years. 

Following this, NGO Balala Hakkula Sangham moved the SHRC accusing officials of medical negligence, and demanding action against them. 

The Deccan Chronicle reported that health workers visited Lakshmi's house and administered the MR vaccine, following which she started shivering in the evening with fever, and was declared brought dead at the hospital. 

Her parents blamed the officials and filed a complaint at the Tadepalli police station. 

Pointing out that the vaccine could not be the reason for her death, as Lakshmi's sibling received a shot as well, Commissioner of Health and Family Welfare, Sujatha Sarma, told TOI, "So far, 80 lakh children in AP have been administered the vaccine, no complaint has been received. In all, 3.34 crore people in the country have been given the vaccine."

The police registered a complaint under Section 174 of CrPC (suspicious death), and sent the body for a post-morterm.

Besides action on the officials concerned, the Balala Hakkula Sangham demanded a compensation of Rs 50 lakh for the family of the girl. 

Taking note of the incident, the SHRC asked for a report by August 19.

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