



At least 23 students of Government Girls Primary School (GGPS) in Dalan union council (UC), Thal in Hangu fell unconscious after they were administered measles injections on Monday.





When residents found out, they took to the streets and protested against health officials.Thal police station SHO Farid Khan confirmed the incident. He added at least 23 students fainted after they were vaccinated.The students were taken to Dalan UC hospital and Thal Civil Hospital where they were administered first aid and discharged.The students were of grade one to grade five, added SHO Farid.However, Thal Civil Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Aurangzeb said the children fainted out of fear of getting jabbed.When contacted, acting district health officer Dr Azam Khan said when they reached the site, the students were retching but conscious.“We also checked the vaccine and there was nothing wrong with it,” he said, speculating the students got sick due to fear of getting an injection. Hangu Deputy Commissioner Naeem Anwar Sadozai said they have ordered the measles vaccine be tested and strict action will be taken if the vaccine is found to be substandard.Published in The Express Tribune, May 20, 2014.