THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With CBSE schools playing spoilsport, the Measles-Rubella vaccination drive in the capital district has been pushed into a major crisis. The drive, which will extend till November 3, began a day ago on October 3. The district medical officer, Dr Jose G D’Cruz, has filed a complaint with the District Child Protection Officer against six schools in the district, including St Mary’s Higher Secondary School, Pattom.
The DCPO has forwarded the complaint to the State Commission for the Protection of Child Rights. Commission member C.J. Antony said that a meeting with be convened with school managements on October 6 before any action is taken. “Action will be taken against these schools if they remain adamant,” Mr Antony said.
Dr D’Cruz said it were not just the six schools he had named in his complaint but more had turned their backs on the vaccination drive. “Each of these schools, mostly CBSE ones where children from high income families study, say they will allow their children to be vaccinated only after they get a written consent from the parents. They argue that the parents are against vaccination but these schools have not convened a parent-teacher association meeting to address the issue,” Dr D’Cruz said. The DMO had asked all these schools to give their opposition in writing. “I have their written testimonials with me,” the DMO said. There is no stipulation that parents should give a written consent for the vaccination.
However, Fr Nelson of St Mary’s School said that the school had made all arrangements for the vaccination team. “We were told that they would be in the school for a week from October 9 and we have got all things in place for their continued stay in the school. In fact, we have even distributed to consent letter to our students,” Fr Nelson said. Dr D’Cruz but insists that St Mary’s School had opposed the drive.
The MR Vaccination is for children between the ages of nine months and 15 years. The government had earlier directed schools to allay the vaccination-related fears of students and parents. The schools have also been told to arrange the space and time for vaccination in coordination with health officials. Teachers have also been advised to be present at the vaccination site to give their students confidence. The schools, as part of creating awareness about the vaccination, were also directed to organise classes and painting competitions on measles and rubella. Private schools have generally desisted from conducting such exercises.
