Latest news with #Hepatitis-B
New Indian Express
18-07-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
11 years after being given an expired vax, six victims to get Rs 1.25L compensation in Telangana
HYDERABAD: The Telangana Human Rights Commission (TGHRC) has directed the state government to pay compensation of Rs 1,25,000 each to six individuals who were administered expired Hepatitis-B vaccines at Gandhi Hospital in 2014. Terming the incident a serious violation of the victims' fundamental right to health and dignity, the commission chaired by Dr Justice Shameem Akther pointed to systemic lapses and recommended action against the responsible officials, including the superintendent of the hospital. The complaint was filed in 2014 against Gandhi Hospital, alleging that expired Elovac-B Hepatitis-B vaccines were administered to them by Dr V Tara Devi, who was a research fellow at the time. The complainants alleged that the expired vaccines caused side effects such as mental tension, giddiness, drowsiness, stomach pain, and body aches. The Commission had instructed the superintendent of Gandhi Hospital to submit a report which stated that the vaccine pack carried two different dates, one for expiry and another for the syringe and due to this oversight, Dr Tara Devi administered the expired vaccine. Further, the hospital denied negligence on the part of the doctor and attributed the confusion to the manufacturer, who had printed two different dates on the packaging. They also claimed that the expired vaccine was of low potency and unlikely to cause side effects. The Commission also directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police to inspect the drugs at the hospital. Later, Dr Tara Devi was suspended by the hospital administration. However, the Commission found the Superintendent's report unsatisfactory, noting that it failed to adequately address the issue of administering expired vaccines. It stated that the explanation of oversight in such a sensitive matter was unacceptable, especially as it involved patient safety. The Commission also criticised the attempt to shift responsibility to the manufacturer and dealer without addressing the hospital's accountability. It further noted that suspending Dr Tara Devi did not absolve the institution from the responsibility of providing adequate compensation to the affected individuals. The Commission directed that all recommendations be implemented within two months.
Time of India
18-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
2014 vaccine negligence: 16 patients given expired Hepatitis-B shots in Telangana; SHRC seeks action
HYDERABAD: The Telangana State Human Rights Commission (TSHRC) has directed Gandhi Hospital to initiate action against a doctor for "administering expired Hepatitis-B vaccines to 16 patients" back in 2014. The incident occurred when complainants were admitted to the hospital's Anti-Retroviral Therapy unit for treatment. In their complaint to the SHRC, the aggrieved patients alleged that medical practitoner Dr V Tara Devi had "deliberately administered expired Hepatitis-B vaccines to them". Post vaccination, they experienced dizziness, stomach pain, body aches, and mental stress. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad Even as hospital mainatained that no harm was caused due to vaccine and that the doctor was relieved from duty, the commission observed that the act amounted to gross negligence. They asked the govt to pay compensation of 1.25 lakh and initiate disciplinary proceedings against the doctor. The SRHC held the manufacturer and dealer accountable for not providing proper warning labels on packaging and supplying vaccine without checking the expiry date. The state govt is yet to respond to SHRC's order.
The Hindu
17-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
State told to pay ₹1.25 lakh compensation to patients administered expired Hepatitis-B vaccines
Over a decade after many patients were administered expired Hepatitis-B vaccines at government-run Gandhi Hospital, the Telangana Human Rights Commission (THRC) has ordered the State government to pay ₹1.25 lakh in compensation to each of the victims. The Commission, in its order dated July 4, also called for strict action against hospital authorities and a complete overhaul of medicine procurement and verification protocols in government hospitals. The incident, which came to light through complaints filed in 2014 and 2015, involved 16 individuals who suffered adverse effects after being given expired vaccines at the hospital's Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) Centre of Excellence. The complainants alleged that Dr. V. Tara Devi, a Research Fellow at the centre, administered the vaccines despite their expiry, leading to dizziness, stomach pain, drowsiness, and significant mental distress. The THRC also took suo motu cognisance of a newspaper report published in 2015, which revealed irregularities in the hospital's medicine supply system. Its investigation found that the vaccines were indeed expired, and that the packaging displayed two conflicting expiry dates, one for the vaccine and another for the syringe. While hospital authorities claimed the administration was unintentional and blamed the manufacturer for the unclear labelling, the Commission rejected the explanation, holding the hospital accountable for failing in its basic and non-negotiable duty to verify expiry dates before drug administration. The Commission found the hospital superintendent's report defending the act to be motivated by a desire to shield the hospital staff. It also dismissed the claim that the expired vaccines had low potency and were therefore harmless, calling it medically unfounded. Justice Shameem Akther, Chairperson of the THRC, held that the victims' fundamental rights to health, dignity, and bodily integrity were violated. He noted that although Dr. Tara Devi had been suspended, disciplinary action alone was not sufficient to address the seriousness of the breach. The Commission directed the Chief Secretary of Telangana to initiate proceedings against all responsible officials, including the hospital's Superintendent and supervising staff. It further asked the government to ensure that expired or nearly expired drugs are not accepted at any government-run healthcare facility. Suppliers must be made to print clear and prominent expiry dates on both the outer wrapper and internal containers of all medical supplies. The State government has been given two months from the date of the order to implement the recommendations in full.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Lawsuit aims to stop enforcement of West Virginia's vaccine exemption order
CHARLESTON, (WBOY) — The American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia (ACLU-WV) and Mountain State Justice (MSJ) have filed a lawsuit of behalf of parents to stop Gov. Patrick Morrisey's executive order allowing vaccine exemptions in schools. The order, which was signed in January, directed health officials to stop enforcing 'compulsory school immunization requirements,' for students who request a religious exemption. A bill to codify religious exemptions failed in the state legislature. The lawsuit filed in Kanawha County Circuit Court claims that Morrisey does not have the authority to enforce his order since the state legislature did not pass the bill. 'Governors do not rule by decree,' ACLU-WV Legal Director Aubrey Sparks said in a press release. 'At the center of this lawsuit is who gets to make these decisions for our students. On this question, the state Constitution is clear that the authority lies with the Legislature, not the governor.' Bridge Sports Complex opens all-inclusive playground The parents behind the lawsuit include those with children who are particularly susceptible to illness. Previously, students had to receive a medical exemption to attend school without being vaccinated for chickenpox, Hepatitis-B, measles, meningitis, mumps, diphtheria, polio, rubella, tetanus and whooping cough. 'Parents should be able to know their child will be safe when they send them off to school,' Sarah Brown, MSJ Executive Director, said in the press release. 'We are seeing the devastating effects of loosening vaccine requirements across the country, and that's why the Legislature wisely declined to loosen the restrictions here in West Virginia. It's vital that their decision not be undermined by the executive branch.' The lawsuit asks for a judge to block the enforcement of Morrisey's order. Morrisey said earlier this month that his stance on the order wasn't changed by the bill's failure or the several lawsuits that had been filed against it. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
