Times Of Swaziland: GRADE II BAHA’I PUPIL DIES  AFTER MEASLES VACCINATION

GRADE II BAHA’I PUPIL DIES  AFTER MEASLES VACCINATION
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BY THEMBINKOSI MAVIMBELA on 07/07/2016 04:09:00


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.