Polio vaccine: 12 kids given hand sanitiser instead of polio dose in Maharashtra

Pune: In a tragic case of negligence, 12 children were given hand sanitiser drops instead of oral polio vaccine drops in a village in Yavatmal district of Maharashtra.

According to an official, the affected children, aged below 5, were admitted to a government hospital, where their condition is stated to be stable. The district official said, three healthcare workers will face action for the lapse.

The incident occurred on Sunday at Bhanbora PHC (Primary Health Centre) in Kapsikopri village when the National Pulse Polio vaccination drive for children aged 1-5 years was underway, the official said. Yavatmal Zilla Parishad CEO Shrikrishna Panchal said 12 children below 5 years of age were given two drops of sanitiser in place of polio drops.

Subsequently, one of the children complained of vomiting and uneasiness, he said.

All the children who were given sanitiser drops were administered polio drops and admitted to the Government Medical College in Yavatmal, Panchal said.

Their condition is stable and they are under observation, Panchal said.

He said as per preliminary information, three healthcare workers - a doctor, Anganwadi sevika and an ASHA volunteer - were present at the PHC at the time of the incident.