Baby undergoes emergency surgery after post-vaccination complications; family files complaint

KOLLAM: The parents of a three-and-a-half-month-old baby have lodged a complaint with the district medical officer, alleging medical negligence after the child developed severe swelling on its thighs and an infection following a routine vaccination. The complainants are Aparna and Shyam, residents of Achankovil.

Their complaint said the baby received the scheduled two-month immunization at the Achankovil Family Health Centre on June 3. Soon after the vaccination was administered, there was swelling on the baby’s thigh. The parents claim that though they informed health workers about the condition, either the hospital authorities nor the staff who administered the vaccine provided adequate guidance or follow-up care.

They further alleged that the swelling did not subside even after two weeks and the child later developed a high fever. The baby was initially taken to a private hospital and was subsequently referred to the SUT Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram for advanced treatment.

Doctors reportedly found formation of pus in the area where the injection was taken. This led to an emergency surgery. The doctors explained that there will be swelling or infection on the spot and in some children, such symptoms may persist for up to two weeks.