Superstition spiked health drive: K K Shylaja

Thiruvananthapuram: Health minister K. K. Shylaja on Tuesday said superstition and unethical treatment methods resulted in the reluctance of a section of people in Malappuram to take vaccination causing a sudden increase in diphtheria cases in the district. While replying to notice for an adjournment motion in the assembly by M. Ummer of the IUML, she said two children have died, and 37 were confirmed to have the disease.

However, following government intervention religious heads have offered full support to the present immunisation drive. Both the children who died due to the disease had taken the vaccination. She denied opposition's charge that there was a scarcity of vaccine.

“The State government has already launched a massive vaccination drive for immunising over 2.30 lakh children and a large number of children have already been vaccinated. Measures have been taken to ensure the stock of at least 4.50 lakh doses necessary for the programme in the district,” she said.

Though diphtheria affects children below the age of 15, the disease was also reported in persons above the age of 35 in the state. Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala participating in the debate urged the government to make vaccination mandatory for getting school admissions.