Coalition to compensate families of children killed by measles vaccines by $ 10 thousand each

Writing by Zaman Staff; Translation by Yusra Ahmed

(Zaman Al Wasl)- Compensation of S.P 2 million ($10 thousand) for each child died as a result of measles vaccination in Idlib last September is about to be agreed with children’s parents to close the vaccine’s crisis file, Dr. Jawad Abo Hatab, responsible for the medical section in the National coalition revealed.

Zaman al-Wasl exclusively obtained a letter forwarded to the National Coalition, in which Dr. Abo Hatab requested forming a committee from the National Coalition and Assistance Coordination Unit “ACU” to work on closing the vaccination crisis’s file and compensate the died children’s parents.

He confirmed that 18 children died as a result of vaccination, and wished that Coalition would do its best to sort the matter out in order to help the accused medical team.

In a relevant content, sources reported to Zaman al-Wasl that some members of the National Coalition rejected the agreement’s idea, because compensation does not drop the public prosecution's right in crimes, and they recommended to punish responsible members for the fatal mistakes which led to killing the children.

Measles vaccination campaign was launched on Monday 15th September 2014, with hope to reach 48, 000 children in rebel-held areas. 690 doctors, nurses and volunteers participated in cooperation with many international Health associations.

Next day, dozens of children died or severely affected shortly after receiving the vaccine. Causes of deaths contradicted, some suspected that vaccines were expired or contaminated, while others suspected a criminal incentives supported by Syrian regime.

Investigations suggested that most likely reason was a muscle relaxant used to dilute vaccines instead of the accompanied diluent.

Many figures were held responsibility for the disaster, ended in dismissing Minister of Health and the head of the Assistance Coordination Unit “ACU”, but the decision was withdrawn later claiming it did not followed legal procedures.