The Assam Government has ordered a probe after rumours that spread on social media about a vaccination drive carried out in some of the State Government-run schools could lead to infertility. The rumours have affected the attendance of children in schools.
Principal Secretary of the Health Department Samir Sinha said this on Tuesday while adding that the department has also asked the health department officials to go more aggressively crating awareness about the ongoing immunisation drive against Japanese Encephalitis (JE) and that this has nothing to do with infertility.
The Government has started the vaccination drive in four districts including Nalbari, Barpeta, Bongaigaon and in Cachar. The schools in these four districts have recorded poor attendance in last few days after the rumour spread on the social media.
“I have also written to Director General of Police Assam Mukesh Sahai to see if there is any evil design by someone behind the spreading of the rumours. Besides, we have decided to go more aggressively in our vaccination drive against the JE so that we can cover most of the people ahead of the monsoon season,” Sinha said.