Following an incident of students falling ill after being administered Measles Rubella (MR) vaccination in southern Assam’s Hailakandi district on September 9, the district administration has clarified that the sickness was not caused due to adverse events following immunization (AEFI).

The symptoms of sickness were caused by anxiety and hysteria induced by injection fear, District Immunization Officer (DIO) Dr K. Thambalsena said on September 10. Altogether 29 students of Sahabad ME Madrassa under Katlicherra revenue circle of Hailakandi district had fallen sick following the immunization on September 9. They were taken to the local hospital and 24 students were discharged yesterday itself.

Of the five referred to the Silchar Medical College and Hospital, two have been discharged. Dr Thambalsena said the AEFI symptoms generally associated with MR vaccine such as rashes were not seen in yesterday's incident. “Medical examination revealed that the students did not fall ill due to MR vaccination, but due to anxiety and hysteria induced by the fear factor of being injected," she said. Deputy Commissioner Adil Khan, Circle Officer, Katlicherra, James Aind and DIO Dr Thambalsena have also immunized their children with MR vaccine under the same programme.