CPI(M) seeks probe over Pentavalent vaccine deaths

The issue of the death of several infants in Kerala after receiving Pentavalent vaccine was raised in the Rajya Sabha today with a plea for protecting children from it and probe the deaths.
Raising the issue during Zero Hour, K N Balagopal (CPI-M) said 18 children had died in Kerala alone after they were administered with the vaccine, which he alleged was introduced in the country without holding clinical trials.
"I want to seek protection from this House. This is a very serious issue...Now government has decided to introduce in other states also," said Balagopal.
He said it is very dangerous to use the vaccine like this as it has caused enough deaths, which should be probed. He also questioned why children of Kerala be subjected to such a vaccine on which proper trials are not held before its introduction.

Associating with the issue, P Rajeeve (CPI-M) said it is a very dangerous situation as children are continuously dying after being administered the vaccine.
The vaccine protects children against five deadly childhood diseases - DPT - Diphtheria, Pertussis and Tetanus, Hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenza type B (HiB).