The report on the investigations conducted by an independent committee on the death of a 13-year-old girl in Wariyapola, Kurunegala following the administration of Rubella vaccine was handed over to Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva yesterday.

The spokesman for the Health Ministry said the report consisted investigations carried out by three separate teams. An investigation on the Rubella vaccine conducted by the Australian Government’s Laboratory facility in Canberra, the report of the Investigations Unit of the Health Ministry and the investigation carried by the local medical experts.

However the spokesman stated that he was unaware of what was in the report while Health Minister the Director General Health Services (DGHS) and the Intellectual Committee members were not available for comment.

He said the committees were appointed following the death of Asanti Wathsala last October. The Intellectual Committee, headed by Consultant Pediatrician and Professor Colombo Medical Faculty, Dr. Manori Senanayake took over four months to finalise the report. The other members of the team included: Consultant Specialist in Vaccination, Dr. Rajiva de Silva, Judicial Specialist, Dr. Ananda Samarasekara, Assistant Epidemiology Specialist, Dr. Sriyani Dissanayake and Dr. N. Ekanayake. The spokesman said the Intellectual Committee had handed in its report to the Director Genera Health Services on Monday (08).

The administration of Rubella came to an abrupt halt a second time following young Asanthi’s death last October. The first Rubella death occured in March 2009, after which the administration of the vaccine was halted. Many allegations were levelled against its quality on both occasions. However, the Ministry and the WHO has steadfastly held that there was absolutely nothing wrong with the vaccine produced by WHO recommended Serum Institute in India.