Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Hindu
The Hindu
National
PTI

39 M.P. school children administered COVID-19 vaccine with same syringe; FIR registered against vaccinator

A vaccinator allegedly used the same syringe to administer anti-COVID-19 vaccine to 39 children at a private school in Madhya Pradesh's Sagar city, officials said on Thursday.

The parents of some of the children on Wednesday observed the vaccinator using the same syringe to inoculate the children and raised an alarm for the gross negligence on his part, they said.

The incident took place at the Jain Higher Secondary School in the city during a mega vaccination drive following which a First Information Report (FIR) was registered against the vaccinator, identified as Jitendra Ahirwar, a district official said.

The 39 children, aged 15 and above, were from Classes 9 to 12, a health official said.

After the parents protested, Sagar's in-charge Collector Kshitij Singhal sent district Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Dr. D.K. Goswami to examine the issue.

Those present at the spot told Mr. Goswami that the vaccinator allegedly used the same syringe to vaccinate as many as 39 children, the official said.

After the protest by parents, Mr. Ahirwar escaped from the spot and was not found when the CMHO inspected the school.

The accused had switched-off his mobile phone, Mr. Goswami said.

An official from Gopal Ganj police station said they have registered an FIR against Mr. Ahirwar under Indian Penal Code Section 336 (rash or negligent act endangering human life or personal safety of others).

On the basis of a report of the CMHO, the collector recommended to the divisional commissioner a departmental probe and action against district vaccination officer Dr. Rakesh Roshan, Mr. Singhal said.

Meanwhile, health officials examined all the 39 children.

The reports of 19 of them were found to be normal and the reports of the remaining children were awaited, Mr. Goswami said.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.