A 17-year-old girl died shortly after receiving a tetanus and diphtheria (Td) vaccine at a municipal immunisation camp in Nashik, Maharashtra. She attended a routine vaccination drive organised by the Nashik Municipal Corporation on Wednesday afternoon. Officials said staff administered the booster dose around 12:40 pm. Soon after vaccination, she complained of dizziness and collapsed near a medical shop close to the camp. CCTV footage from the area captured the teenager falling unconscious on the road. Witnesses said she sustained a head injury during the fall and emergency responders rushed her to a district hospital.
Maharashtra: Hospital Declares Death, Family Raises Allegations
Doctors at the district government hospital declared the teenager dead on arrival after emergency admission. Her family alleged that the vaccination caused her sudden death and demanded strict action against responsible officials. Health authorities, however, stated that they have not confirmed the exact cause of death. They said medical and forensic reports will determine the final conclusion. Police registered an accidental death case at Ambad police station and initiated a formal investigation. Authorities confirmed that the incident triggered immediate scrutiny of the immunisation camp and its procedures.
Officials suspended the vaccine batch used at the camp as a precautionary step following the incident. They sent samples from the batch to a laboratory for detailed testing. Authorities said the same vial had already been used for six other beneficiaries without adverse reactions. The recipients included pregnant women, adolescents, and a young boy who reported no health complications. Health officials stated that approximately 120 vaccinations have been administered at the centre without similar incidents. They emphasized that the suspension aims to ensure safety until laboratory results provide clarity.
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Health Department Defends Vaccine Safety
Nashik health officials stated that Td vaccines protect against tetanus and diphtheria and remain widely used. Chief Medical Officer Dr Vijay Devkar said the vaccine is routinely administered to adolescents and pregnant women across the district. He added that around 30,000 pregnant women and equal numbers of adolescents receive the vaccine annually. He emphasized that rare adverse reactions may occur but remain extremely uncommon. Officials also urged the public and media to avoid spreading unverified claims. They clarified that misleading reports linking the vaccine to unrelated treatments must not circulate.
Authorities initiated a multi-level investigation involving police, health officials, and forensic experts. They preserved viscera samples and began post-mortem analysis to determine the exact cause of death. The Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFI) committee activated a formal review of the case. Officials held a high-level meeting at the health director’s office and prepared a detailed report. They will forward findings to Pune headquarters and then to the state government. Health officials stated that final conclusions will emerge only after all reports are examined thoroughly and scientifically.
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