Experts from an international NGO Path, who visited GMSD on Saturday, found that Vaccine Vial Monitor on a large number of vials stored there had undergone change of colour, indicating Stage II exposure due to heat and loss of efficacy. Path is providing technical support to the government in implementing the JE programme.

Dr Jagdish Chandra, Chief Medical Officer in-charge of GMSD, said: “When we inspected the stock today, some of the vial monitors had reached Stage II. It should not be much of a problem as vials with exposure of Stage II can be used for vaccination.”

Chandra said, “ The vaccine stock sent to UP was already at stage II. But if proper temperature was maintained during transportation, then it would not have been damaged further.”

Dr Pritu Dhalaria, JE Programme Manager for Path in India, said: “The Stage II exposed vaccine can be used for vaccination, as its efficacy is only slightly reduced, but such damage at the initial place of storage is a cause of concern. For it means that even a little exposure to heat during transportation can completely damage the vaccine.”

When the stock had arrived in Lucknow last evening, officials found that many samples showed Stage III and IV exposure. The officials immediately informed the Union Health Ministry and demanded replacements. A Union Health Ministry team is expected to arrive here on Monday to examine the stock.

UP officials insist that nothing was wrong at their end. M L Khatloiya, Director General (family welfare) of the state government, said, “We checked the supply as soon as it reached us and informed the senior ministry officials in the ministry that a large number of samples had reached Stages III and IV.” Sources, however, said the vaccine stock remained at the Lucknow airport for over five hours and this could have damaged it.

Union Health Ministry officials refused to discuss the matter, stating they would comment only after assessing the situation. The JE vaccine is imported from China National Biotec Group. It is initially stored at GMSD, Karnal and from there it is supplied to 24 districts in 10 states for the vaccination programme. The states include UP, Bihar, Haryana, Kerala, Assam and Karnataka.