Zimbabwe: Children sick after vaccination

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There is also a headline about one child dying from vaccine reaction, but

the article has disappeared...

Http://www.thezimbabwean.co

UK/2009071122682/health/children-sick-after-vaccination.HTML

Children sick after vaccination

By Radio VOP

MASVINGO – Several children here have reportedly fallen sick a few weeks

after vaccination under a government programme to combat the eight leading

child killer diseases. Thousands of children under the age of five around

Masvingo province received measles, poliomyelitis immunization and vitamin A

supplements, under a government initiative to prevent infants from

contracting diseases.

But many children are said to have developed side effects ranging from

running stomach, dizziness and loss of appetite, with many parents deeply

worried over the safety and health of their children.

However, Provincial Medical Director Dr Mudyiradima said he was yet

to get such reports.

“This is news to me because I am yet to get those reports. Do not blow this

out of proportion, we shall however, investigate to find out if there are

some complaints over the vaccination process which took place recently,”

said Mudyiradima.

A source from Masvingo General Hospital revealed that several children were

coming in for medical examination as a result of complications which

emanated from the vaccine.

“It is true that parents are flocking in with their children for medical

examination. We suspect that the children were not given the correct dosages

We are however, happy that there are no death reports so far,” said the

source.

A woman from Rujeko residential area said while residents applaud the work

done by the government to promote the health of their children, it was

however saddening to note that nearly every child that was vaccinated had

developed strange reactions that resulted in several children being

hospitalized.

“My son started vomiting and having a running stomach a day after being

vaccinated and at first I thought it was a minor problem but when my

neighbour told me that her child was having similar problems, we knew it

was the vaccine,” said Agmess Chingoroma.

Parents from other districts such as Chivi, Mwenezi and Zaka said they were

worried because they were having problems in raising money to take their

children to private clinics.