5 lakh polio vaccine vials being recalled

With more than five lakh vials of polio vaccine in the open market, drug controllers are calling back stocks from retail chemists and wholesalers of Biomed Pvt Limited, which was found to be the most preferred vaccine due to its affordability.

There are three main wholesalers in Telangana state who stock the vaccines and they have been asked for details to recall all the stocks from the open market. Drug inspectors have been told to ensure that in their circles the retailers give back all the stocks of vaccine by the company.

The health ministry stated that three batches — B100318, B100218 and B100418 — are not to be used. A senior drug control officer in Telangana explained, “Those three batches were found to be contaminated. But we have been asked to recall all the stocks as there is suspicion that three strains were used and the vaccine was created. In TS, the private market also used the polio vaccine of the company widely. The vaccine was sold in good numbers as small clinics and hospitals found the vaccine affordable and prescribed it. We have asked all stocks to be recalled from all over the state.”

The department have sealed 40,000 vials and put them in its cold storage. According to drug controllers a cold chain has to be maintained to collect and transport the product. For this reason, they are collecting all stocks at a central place where a cold chain is available and then transport it to Central Laboratory in Kasuali for testing.

The presence of Type 2 strain of the polio virus in the vaccine has raised questions on the efficiency of drug control department and their testing process. A senior government doctor on condition of anonymity explained, “The drug control department requires further strengthening as they have to check regularly. There is random checking carried out and that is why we have these cases. The process of checking has to be regular and systemised to nip the problem at the base level.”

There will be a mass vaccination programme carried out in the state to safeguard the children.

THE HEALTH ministry stated that three batches — B100318, B100218 and B100418 — are not to be used.

A MASS vaccination programme will be carried out in the state to safeguard children.