Experts shoot down social media theory on measles drug

Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP) in association with Indian Medical Association (IMA), Madurai branch, addressed the media here on Monday to address the apprehensions of general public about measles and rubella vaccine. The doctors said the fears surrounding the vaccines were unfounded. 

Nagendran, president, IAP, Madurai, said that social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp have played a bigger role in spreading rumours about vaccine, which made parents reluctant of getting their children vaccinated. “Even educated parents are hesitant to get their children vaccinated against the diseases. The rumours are baseless and people should not believe them,” he said. 

Measles, called Thatta mai in Tamil, will cause pneumonia, acute diarrhoea and even mental retardation in weaker children. Similarly, children with rubella will get their eyes defected while it may cause abortion or impair the growth of foetus in the case pregnant women. 

Amanullah, secretary, IMA, Madurai, claimed that both the diseases are highly contagious and can spread easily. “If vaccination is skipped, the child will become susceptible to diseases due to low immunity. This will result in weak individuals,” he added. 

Balasubramanian, president, IMA, Madurai, said that close to one lakh children die of measles and close to 1.6 lakh children die of rubella every year in India. Hence these diseases were not rare and hence people should realise the danger and take the vaccine, he said. He also dismissed another claim that the vaccine for the diseases was being supplied by a foreign company as untrue.