Nurses attacked during Measles-Rubella vaccination drive in Kerala, 3 arrested

Kochi: A junior public health nurse was attacked by some unidentified persons during the ongoing Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccination campaign at a school in Kerala's Malappuram.

According to ANI, Junior public health nurse Shyamala Bai CK was attacked by a group of parents led by a middle-aged man around 1 pm at Government Lower Primary School, Athippatta, near Valanchery. 

She was administering MR vaccine to the children when the attack took place.

Edayoor Public Health Centre medical officer Ali Mohammed, who supervised the vaccination, was abused by the parent group. 

According to the eye-witnesses, the leader of the group grabbed Shyamala Bai by the neck and pushed her. They reportedly twisted her harm and broke her mobile phone. She said the attacker carried a rod in his hand. She was admitted to a hospital with injuries.

The nurses on the scene alleged that the parent group had come prepared for the attack. They said it was an unprovoked charging at them. Nurses also alleged that the police reached the scene much later. The attackers left the school before the police came.

At least three persons have been arrested by the police in this connection.

The attack on the nurse has dealt a serious blow to the ongoing MR vaccination campaign here.

After the incident, the nurses threatened to launch an agitation by boycotting the vaccination programme if the culprits are not arrested at the earliest.

The association of doctors and public health workers had strongly condemned the attack.

District Collector Amit Meena has issued a warning against the anti-vaccine lobby.

He said strong action would be taken against those who prevented vaccination and spread fear in society.