Collapse of immunization programme

By Kumuduni Lakmali Bandara

It has been pointed out by the Epidemiology unit that the national immunization programme in the country has collapsed and it envisages that if the public does not pay heed to the immunization programme there will be an estimated 54, 000 child deaths per year. The immunization programme which till lately was successful was able to save approximately 50,000 deaths. The main reason attributed for the breakdown is the fear caused in the minds of the public after the death of Asanthi Wasana, a student from Minuwangate Maha Vidyalaya, Wariyapola who died after being administered the rubella vaccination. It is further pointed out that fewer parents bring children to immunization clinics now. They prefer to obtain the vaccines privately, paying through their noses for the vaccines. However, the Epidemiology Unit is of the view that there is no reason to worry since all the vaccines used in the immunization programme have been approved by the WHO. Meanwhile, no results have surfaced with regard to the Rubella vaccine stock that has been already distributed to various rural hospitals and was responsible for the death of Asanthi Wasana.