Vaccines are safe, says Centre

Rubbishing any rumours being spread stating not to give polio drops to children up to 5 years as some virus has been found in them the Union Health has appealed to parents not to go by any such news.

A release issued by the Ministry noted that rumour was spread in response to some reports in sections of media that bivalent Oral Polio Vaccine supplied by a particular company were found “not of standard quality”.

“Use of bivalent Oral Polio Vaccine manufactured by this particular manufacturer has been stopped in the programme. All the stocks of the said manufacturer have been withdrawn,” the Ministry release noted.

It added that there are other bivalent Oral Polio Vaccine manufacturers who have also been providing the polio vaccine.

The polio vaccines supplied by these other manufacturers have been tested and conform to all the recommended standards. In order to ensure that children receive safe and effective vaccines, the vaccines from these manufacturers are being used under the programme.

“Polio vaccines are absolutely safe and have saved millions of children from disabling effects of polio. All parents must get their children vaccinated against polio to provide protection against polio,” said the release.

Government of India in consultation with WHO has taken all measures to ensure that all vaccines used under the programme are totally safe and effective.

India continues to be polio-free since for past more than 7 years. However, since polio cases are still occurring in a few neighbouring countries, India needs to maintain population immunity against polio to mitigate risk of importation the release said.

Government of India is providing Inactivated Polio Vaccine in addition to the bivalent Oral Polio Vaccine under its Universal Immunization Programme to provide double protection against polio.