CHIEF MEDICAL officer Dr Shantimal Singhavi has formed an inquiry committee to probe into the complaints of administering expired polio vaccine to children during the recently concluded pulse polio drive.
The committee, chaired by district immunisation officer, Dr Swatantra Sharma, on Friday collected records regarding the vaccine stock at Kotwa primary health centre, where polio vaccines were recovered in third stage (as indicated on the Vaccine Vial Monitor) by the WHO officers.
The committee also checked vaccine stock at Jhunsi New PHC, sub centre Kohna, Andawan New PHC and sub centre Bhagipur. The written explanation was also sought from the PHC staff responsible for maintaining the cold chain of the vaccine.
CMO Dr Shantimal Singhavi said the staff responsible for the poor upkeep of polio vaccine would be suspended, since it was a serious matter. Initially, it seems that the immunisation officer failed to take care of the vaccine due to which it became unfit for administration to the children, he added. "Once the inquiry is complete the recommendations will be made to the government to suspend the erring supervisor and medical officers," he added.
It may be recalled that the WHO staff recently inspected Kotwa PHC and five sub centres to check the condition of polio vaccine. They found that in the absence of proper generator back-up facility most of the vaccines have reached in the third stage, indicating that it was not fit for use. Incidentally, the same vaccine was administered to the children during the last pulse polio drive. The team also found that the generator log book was not filled since September 17.
{{/usCountry}}It may be recalled that the WHO staff recently inspected Kotwa PHC and five sub centres to check the condition of polio vaccine. They found that in the absence of proper generator back-up facility most of the vaccines have reached in the third stage, indicating that it was not fit for use. Incidentally, the same vaccine was administered to the children during the last pulse polio drive. The team also found that the generator log book was not filled since September 17.
{{/usCountry}}The WHO officials also wrote a letter to the CMO complaining about the matter.