Kerala nurse's contract terminated after allegedly administering rabies vaccine to child with fever

Kochi: A nurse employed on a contract basis at a taluk hospital in Angamaly near Ernakulam, Kerala, has had her services terminated by the state government following allegations of incorrectly administering a rabies vaccine to a child suffering from fever.

The incident occurred on August 11 when a seven-year-old child was awaiting a blood test outside the hospital's laboratory.

Prompted by the incident, the state Health Department initiated an inquiry, which concluded with the decision to terminate the nurse's contract at the hospital. The nurse reportedly mistook the feverish child for another individual waiting to receive an anti-rabies vaccine and administered the jab.

According to the police, the child was unaccompanied in front of the laboratory as the parents undertook administrative tasks, including bill payment. Although the parents opted not to file a police complaint, a statement from the parents was obtained. They consulted with medical professionals and, as the rabies vaccine did not yield any adverse effects, they chose not to pursue a formal complaint.

The child's health was carefully monitored, and subsequent observations indicated that her condition had stabilised. Authorities confirmed that the child's well-being was no longer at risk due to the incident.