GRADE II BAHA’I PUPIL DIES AFTER MEASLES VACCINATION

Baha’i pupils in class. (File pic)

MBABANE – A Grade II girl of Baha’i Primary School has died after getting a shot of the measles vaccine pioneered by government.

The name of the child is known to this publication but will not be mentioned for ethical reasons.
As part of the Measles Rubella Catch Up Campaign, local school children are being immunised against the two infections. This project is headed by the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organisation, and the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF).

The Grade II pupil is said to have collapsed yesterday at the school after she was injected as part of the ongoing government campaign. After collapsing, she is said to have bled profusely. Reliable sources said the blood was strange and the child had to be rushed to Medi Sun Clinic in Ezulwini for treatment. Reports are to the effect that she was certified dead upon arrival at the clinic.
Teachers and the school administration are said to have been shocked by what had happened. Sources said teachers and the administration had a meeting after the incident where the issue was deliberated further. After the long deliberations, they are said to have then informed the traumatised pupils about the incident.

Pupils at the school were reported to have also been devastated by the incident. It is said that they were called to the assembly square at around noon by the school’s head teacher. The pupils were addressed about what they had witnessed. It is also said that most of them cried hysterically, as they mourned the sudden demise of their friend and schoolmate.

Some of the pupils are said to have watched in disbelief as their peers broke down in tears. The confused and shocked minors did not know what to do, but stood and watched as their friends wept. The pupils were told that they would receive letters from the school today to give to their parents. These letters would explain to parents what had happened at the school. The children were then sent home by the school’s authorities to deliver the sad news to their parents.

The school is reported to usually break at 1:30pm, however, pupils were sent home just after noon yesterday. An article regarding the exercise, that was sent to the local media, was to the effect that no major side effects were  to be expected. In articles published in local media last month, it was reported that the immunisation would have minor side effects if any. These included a mild fever or rash. In the articles, parents were told not to fear any major side effects but allow their children to be immunised against the two infections. The Head teacher of the school, Muzi Dlamini, declined to say much on the issue. Dlamini confirmed that the incident happened, though. However, he did not want to dwell much on the issue, as he said it was too early to comment on it. He also confirmed that pupils were sent home early after they experienced the shocking demise of their schoolmate.

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