Woman paralyzed after rabies vaccination at Alappuzha Medical College, family complaint

Alappuzha: A 61-year-old woman Shanthamma from Thakazhi allegedly suffered paralysis after receiving anti-rabies vaccine at Government TD Medical College, Vandanam, Alappuzha. Her family then filed a complaint with the Ambalappuzha police, alleging medical negligence.

Shanthamma visited the hospital on October 21 after she suffered scratches on her hand from a rabbit. After receiving a test dose of the rabies vaccine, she developed an allergic reaction, as her daughter Sonia noted in the complaint. Despite these symptoms, hospital staff continued the full series of vaccinations, which allegedly worsened her condition, Sonia added.

Police said that after vaccination, the patient lost consciousness and is currently undergoing treatment, with her condition gradually improving.

Meanwhile, the director of the Collegium Medicum stated that Shanthamma and her husband Soman were informed about the potential side effects and the vaccination was carried out after obtaining consent. After observing symptoms of anaphylaxis, the doctor on duty from the general medicine department provided immediate assistance to the injured person before shifting Shanthamma to the intensive care unit, officials said.

She was also cared for by specialists in cardiology and neurology. Officials further explained that the use of equine rabies immunoglobulin used in this case has been associated with rare anaphylactic reactions.