VADODARA, INDIA: With the government pushing its polio campaign, pamphlets claiming that administering polio drops may lead to impotency and sterility — distributed in some areas of Godhra recently — have left both the people and the district administration in a tizzy. The Intensive Pulse Polio Immunisation programme is scheduled for November 12.The four-page pamphlets — clandestinely distributed in Muslim-dominated pockets of the town — warn people not to let their children be administered polio drops. Sources said the printed pamphlets were in Arabic, a language that many in the town follow.
Sources also indicated that a large number of photocopies of a few original pamphlets were made for distribution. "The pamphlets mention that religious leaders were discussing the issue and would soon reach at a decision regarding the vaccine.
They also state that the vaccine was not manufactured in India and was imported from Israel. They claim that certain chemicals mixed in the vaccine ensured that those who consumed it would turn impotent or sterile.
"Sujat valli, a medical practitioner and an activist based in Godhra, said, "It has been distributed only in some select pockets. The arguments made in the pamphlet are false."
"It seems to be widespread and a series of meetings were held with community leaders to decide on strategies to counter the effect of the pamphlets," said a district administration official.