No problem with Rubella vaccine - Australian scientists

Dulshani Gunawardena

Australian scientists who conducted six tests on the Rubella vaccine available in Sri Lanka, said it is of high quality.

The Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry sent samples of the rubella vaccine, following the death of a Wariyapola schoolgirl due to an allergy occurring following the administration of the rubella vaccine, to the Therapeutic Goods Administration of the Australian Health Ministry. Six tests were conducted by four specialists regarding the qualitative standards of the vaccine.

The report was submitted to the National Drug Authority and the Colombo Medical Research Institute by Scientific Operations Advisor/ Office of Laboratories and Scientific Services, Australia, Dr. Liza Kerr yesterday.

However, the decision to re-commence the administration of the vaccine is yet pending. Health Care and Nutrition Ministry Media Secretary W.M.D. Wanninayake said the final report concerning the incident would soon be released and a decision taken accordingly.