Department of Health and Family Welfare is facing a tough time in Rajouri and Poonch districts in implementing Measles Rubella (MR) vaccination programme, as the people from a particular section of the society have raised objections after rumors spread that the vaccine caused impotency.
As per details available with Greater Kashmir, Health department seemed all set to start a major vaccination drive in Rajouri and Poonch, as being conducted across the state and country. Under the campaign, children from the age group of nine months to fifteen years would be vaccinated against measles and rubella.
Details further revealed that though the Health department has prepared itself for the drive, by organizing awareness rallies as well as meetings, people from a particular section of the society are opposing the vaccination after rumors spread that the vaccine could cause impotency.
A Health department official, while wishing anonymity, confirmed it and said that the problem has erupted in both Rajouri and Poonch districts.
“We are receiving objections from a particular section of society, as they claim that the vaccination is aimed to make people impotent after they attain the age of 40 years,” he said.
He also mentioned a particular incident, wherein during a meeting with parents of a school in Poonch, the officials of the Health department were told that the vaccine causes impotency.
On being contacted by Greater Kashmir, deputy CMO Poonch Dr Shamim Bhatti confirmed that some problems are being faced by the department as some people are objecting to the vaccination. “We are carrying out awareness drive intensively and are making people aware. It is a good sign that a lot of parents have agreed to get their children vaccinated,” she said.
Chief medical officer Rajouri Dr Suresh Gupta, while talking to Greater Kashmir, said, “We are facing objections in Rajouri as well. Mostly the people of Kalakote and Moughla are opposed to the vaccination drive,” adding, “I want to assure people that the objection is based on rumors. The vaccination is aimed at protecting children from diseases and it does not induce impotency. The rumors are absolutely baseless.”