The medical team in charge of vaccination programme at St. Thomas’s Girls School, should have delayed the vaccination of 12-year-old Peshala Hansani as her mother had warned them about her daughter’s symptoms, said Director General (Public Health Services) Dr. Palitha Maheepala.

He said that Hansani was vaccinated with Rubella in 2005. However, he said that medical officers should have taken note of the letter sent by Hansani’s mother. The letter stated that Hansani was allergic to dairy products.

Dr. Maheepala believes that the officials should have delayed or taken her to a hospital better equipped in an emergency.

He said there was no problem with the vaccine. However, there was medical negligence. "This is a lesson from such incidents and guidelines have to be revised," he added. He said that 27 other students from the same school were admitted to hospital due to shock and fear following the death of Hansani.

Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Kahanda Liyanage said that they had temporarily halted the vaccine. However, he scotched allegations that vaccines were about to expire. The expiry date was November.

He also said that on Friday, they would receive the report from the World Health Organisation and act accordingly.

Healthcare and Nutrition Epidemiology Unit Chief Epidemiologist Pabaha Palihawadana said Rubella vaccine included in the Extended Programme of Immunisation had completed all the required quality and safety standards and the Health Ministry advises the public to continue using EPI vaccines including the Rubella vaccine without any doubt or fear.

She said from 2006 onwards, all children in Sri Lanka received two doses of Rubella at three years and 13 years and its impact was well evident by the fact in 2007 and 2008 not a single case of congenital Rubella syndrome was reported in the country.