Another Two Girl Students Were Hospitalized For Allergic Symptoms Of Rubella

While the Inquiry Report on death of the Girl Student of Saint Thomas Girl's School at Matara who died after receiving Rubella Vaccine is to be handover to the Health Minister by tomorrow another two Girl Students were hospitalized yesterday after showing allergic symptoms towards the Rubella Vaccine.

The two Girl Students one is from North Central Province and other one is from Matara in the southern Sri Lanka are still receiving treatment and their conditions are not serious according to the Hospital Sources.

Meanwhile During the Inquiry held on Rubella Vaccine Incident which One Girl Student died and 24 other Girl Students were affected revealed that the Three Medical Officers Of Health(MOH) attached to the Matara MOH Office which was conducted the Rubella Vaccination Programme were not there at the School to supervise the Immunization Programme.'Normally this kind of Vaccination is conducting under the Supervision of a MOH.But this occasion none of the three MOH'S were present there and they sent Registered Medical Officer(RMO) to Immunizing the children" Health Secretery Dr.Athula Kahanda Liyanage said today.

"We are looking into these lapses also.However a stern action over those who are responsible for Vaccine Failure over 25 Girl Students will be taken after examining of the Inquiry Report"he stressed.The Report of the Inquiry conducted by a team of Epidemiologists of the Epidemiologists Unit is to be handover to the Sri Lankan Health Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva by tomorrow morning.

The funeral of the deceased Girl Student who became a victim of the Rubella Vaccine Pashala Hansani(12) was held this evening at Matara.The National Rubella Vaccination Programme was temporarily suspended since last friday following the Student's death.

Meanwhile Health Minister Nimal Siripala who is also the President of the Executive Committee of the World Health Organization(WHO)Invited Three Specialists on Vaccines to the Island to conduct an Independant Inquiary on the Rubella Vaccination Incident and already one Indian Specialist arrived to the Island this evening.Other two specialists are due to arrive here by tomorrow.