Govt. assures typhoid vaccine safety

By Mahima Devkota, Kathmandu, Apr 30: The government has requested the denizens not to repel for inoculating shots against typhoid, claiming that the vaccine is fully safe and secure.

Two children were rushed to the hospital after getting shots against typhoid following some side effects a few days ago. Both of them have returned home safely after treatment.

Dr Ajit Rayamajhi, Chief Consultant Pediatrician at the Kanti Children's Hospital said that the child was discharged a day ago, and admitted two weeks before, suspected of the Guillian Barre Syndrome (GBS) disease, a rare neurological disorder in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks parts of its peripheral nervous systems, the network of nerves located outside the brain and the spinal cord, however, a formal conclusion is yet to be reached.

He said that one child was showing symptoms of weakness, numbness, and pain, usually in the hands and feet, and therefore was suspected of GBS. Further investigations into the case are underway and no conclusion is drawn yet if the typhoid vaccine has resulted in the cause.

The Health Ministry launched a nationwide vaccination campaign against typhoid from April 8 to May 1. The vaccine has been included in the regular vaccination.

Dr Bibek Kumar Lal, Director of the Family Welfare Division of the Department of Health Services said that mild symptoms like fever and body ache are observed after vaccination in some people. That is what is happening after inoculating the vaccine against typhoid to some people showing symptoms of fever, weakness, and body pain.

However, some might develop extreme side effects just like while inoculating vaccine against COVID-19 majority got mild symptoms, however, some fell into the severe side effects.

He said that the cases after inoculating typhoid are being studied by an independent team of experts.

In Nepal, there is a provision of the expert committee that closely watches if or whether vaccination is causing side effects. And, if it is found that a certain vaccine is causing side effects in the majority then the international team of experts is coordinated for the study. However, nothing of that sort is observed so far due to the typhoid vaccination campaign.”

He informed that each hospital, health post, and even local health unit nationwide inoculating typhoid vaccine are asked to report if any side effects are observed, however, no serious complaints of side effects from typhoid vaccine by any local health posts or hospitals are received so far.

He assured us that the typhoid vaccine is not in a trial in Nepal, and has passed the World Health Organisation (WHO) standard. He has urged denizens to get shots of typhoid vaccine, assuring that it is safe and secure.