The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Safe vaccinations

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Saturday, Apr 26, 2008
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Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Safe vaccinations

The death of four children after they were administered measles vaccine shots in Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu, is unfortunate (editorial “Towards safe vaccinations,” April 25). The universal immunisation programme has yielded fabulous results on the ground in Tamil Nadu, which is one of the best performing states when it comes to meeting the basic health needs of its people. One hopes the inquiry ordered by the Union Health Ministry into the tragedy will help to formulate rules to make vaccination safer.

M. Jeyaram,

Sholavandan

The editorial was balanced. Just a couple of points need to be added. First, when the most probable cause seems to be contamination of the vaccine, suspension of the nurses who administered it seems to be grossly unjust. Nurses are the backbone of the national vaccination project and making them scapegoats will shake the people’s faith in the project. Secondly, when there are so many transit points involved, room for errors and contamination is exponential with near-absolute unaccountability. The Union Health Ministry should open vaccine-producing centres in each State.

Dr. S. Rajesh,

Tiruchi

It is obvious that the health workers at the primary health centres in Tiruvallur were not trained to meet an emergency. Many NGOs handle polio and tetanus vaccines regularly as part of the public immunisation programme, which makes children highly vulnerable. Instead of punishing the nurses, the government should take proactive steps and come out with strict regulations.

R. Prathaban,

Kancheepuram

Not for a moment would the families of the infant victims have thought that a routine exercise in preventive medicine would turn into such a tragedy. In effect, it is a setback to the immunisation programme. Efforts must be made to assure the poor who depend on government-run hospitals and primary health centres for immunisation that henceforth the administration of vaccines to their babies will be entirely risk-free, if their faith in the public healthcare system is to be restored.

G. David Milton,

Maruthancode

IPL cricket

The controversy over cheerleaders in the IPL matches is amusing. It is typical of the hypocrisy that is the bane of contemporary society. Page 3 of newspapers splash photographs of décolletages, and movies and television channels are spiced up with images of skimpily-clad girls. The only thing that can be objected to is the import of cheerleaders when there is abundant local talent available. Cheerleaders are the only ones to cheer about when players perform miserably. If there is any risk, it is to the concentration of players and spectators.

A. Seshan,

Mumbai

Maharashtra Minister Siddharam Mehetre’s observation that “we live in India where womanhood is worshipped” is interesting. Girls are harassed on the roads everyday and hardly any action is taken against the accused. Women are hired to dance in late night parties to add more flavour. Do all these not fall under the ambit of vulgarity and obscenity? IPL has been a success and many are trying to gain publicity by talking against it.

Ritu Sejwal,

New Delhi

Cricket has been modified and shortened to 20-over matches, which are gaining popularity among fans. The cheerleaders’ dances in the IPL matches have no relevance to the game. They distract the players and spectators. Such vulgar dances can lead to untoward incidents and commotion. They go against our culture and should be banned.

Gururajan Ramachandran,

Udhagamandalam

I am sure there are better alternatives to the existing form of cheerleading. The IPL must pack the girls off immediately — before it faces the displeasure of the State governments and the people.

Inamdar Ramachandra,

Bangalore

I fully agree with the Maharashtra government that the cheerleaders’ dances are obscene. Cricket does not need special cheers. Millions of people witnessing the game on television and thousands thronging the stadiums prove its popularity. Unlike foreign countries, cricket does not need publicity in India. It is time the IPL did away with obscene dances in the name of cheering.

S. Radhakrishnan,

Chennai

IPL cricket has helped in identifying fresh talent. It has also given a big opportunity for local youngsters to mingle with stalwarts of international cricket. Such cricket helps to sink the differences between players of different countries and makes it possible to play the sport in the right spirit. Sledging and taunting of players will be considerably reduced.

M. Akshy Kumar,

Kumbakonam

When there are so many other sports in which players showcase their physical talent besides mental skills, why single out cricket for such fanfare, publicity, euphoria and media hype? With the game being played throughout the year in different countries in different formats, and being telecast almost on a daily basis, cricket enthusiasts keep their eyes glued to the television sets. What is supposed to be simple entertainment has become an addiction. What a waste of precious time!

R. Sampath,

Chennai

I cannot understand why so many people oppose IPL cricket. It gives a chance to old players to come back into the game, and new talent to showcase itself. It has become a wonderful platform for interaction among the players of the world. Who would have imagined Mathew Hayden and Harbhajan Singh sharing light moments? It is a good step towards fostering friendship and shedding hatred. In the process, if money is being made what is the harm?

Pranshu Bhargava,

Vijayawada

No doubt, IPL cricket has created a platform for youngsters and opportunities for retired players. But it will also harm the game in many ways. T20s have been glamorised more than necessary. Such glamorisation will affect Test cricket and ODIs. First class and international players will neglect their teams as their priority will be to make it to IPL or similar leagues. The objective of creating IPL was promotion of cricket but it has ended up promoting film stars. Cricket requires commitment, which demands a hundred per cent fitness. It is not possible for players to keep themselves fit when they have such overburdened schedules.

Pratyush Kumar Saa,

Sonepur

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