In Malappuram, Kerala, the Keralam child rights panel convened on Friday, September 25, to address the recent deaths of two children from measles in the northern district. The panel requested a formal report from health officials regarding the circumstances surrounding the fatalities.
The victims were a 10‑month‑old child from Valavannur and a 1½‑year‑old from Ponmala, both of whom died within a week of contracting measles. Media reports indicate that both children were unvaccinated.
The panel announced that it had taken the matter into its own hands and asked the district medical officer and the district child protection officer to provide detailed information. It stressed that ensuring vaccination falls under the health department’s responsibility and directed authorities to investigate whether other children in the district had missed their vaccines.
The decision was taken by acting chairperson Cicily Joseph and member P Shajesh Bhaskar, as stated in an official release.
