A three-month-old baby girl from Nandapatna village in Basudevpur block of Bhadrak district died just hours after receiving a polio vaccine, sparking concern and a police investigation.
On Monday around 11 a.m., Rajashree, daughter of Rajaram Jana, received her scheduled polio dose at the local Anganwadi center. Later that evening, she developed a mild fever. Her mother breastfed her and laid her down to rest.
By the next morning, the family discovered Rajashree was unresponsive. They immediately rushed her to Basudevpur hospital. However, doctors declared her dead on arrival. The sudden loss devastated the family and alarmed the local community.
Following the incident, the family filed a written complaint at Nayakanidihi police station, alleging that the polio vaccine caused the infant’s death. Although authorities have not confirmed a direct link between the vaccine and the death, health officials have launched an investigation.
Meanwhile, the incident has triggered anxiety among villagers. Many residents voiced concerns and demanded transparency from health authorities. Immunization drives are common in the area, and this case has shaken public confidence.
Despite the tragedy, medical experts continue to affirm that polio vaccines are globally safe and essential for disease prevention. Nevertheless, they acknowledge that rare adverse reactions can occur. They urge parents to monitor children closely after vaccination and seek immediate medical help if symptoms arise.
