Algeria stops childhood vaccination

Algeria’s health minister Abdelmalek Boudiaf Monday said childhood vaccination was stopped in hospitals to avoid potential problems. This comes as two toddlers died in a private clinic after they had received a vaccine accredited by the World Health Organization.

The minister called for the revision of imported medicines list, saying “the World Health Organization was contacted and we will look for other non dangerous alternatives.”

“We stopped the vaccination after three children had died. Analyses showed that the vaccines were intact. We are sure that the vaccines are not behind the death because 33 children received the same vaccine,” he added.

Speaking about a fake medicine for diabetes which raised a noise, the minister called on people to be careful. “Earlier, security forces dismantled a workshop meant to imitate a medicine for diabetes. The victims will not be compensated because they bought the medicines in the black market.”

“We are not involved in this issue because the medicine was not sold in pharmacies,” he added.