Two patients admitted to city hospitals after suffering from what is believed to be an adverse reaction to anti-rabies vaccines,are extremely critical,officials said on Wednesday. After three days of treatment at Safdarjung Hospital,one patient was shifted to Max Hospital in the evening. Both patients suffered cardiac arrests and severe respiratory problems,reportedly immediately after being administered the vaccines at NDMCs Charak Palika Hospital in Moti Bagh on Sunday. Chandra Devi (52) a housewife,and NDMC employee Sunil Sharma (45),suffered immediate cardiac arrests at the NDMC hospital. After preliminary treatment,both were rushed to Safdarjung Hospital and admitted in the ICU. On Wednesday evening,Sharmas family shifted him to Max Hospital. Doctors said the condition of Chandra Devi was more worrying,since she suffered a second cardiac arrest after being brought to Safdarjung Hospital. Her pupils are dilating and she is on a life support system,with 100 per cent ventilator assisted breathing. Regarding Sharma,we suspected some neurological reaction,but CT scans have shown normal results so far. But,he is also still on ventilator support due to the respiratory and cardiac problem, a doctor at Safdarjung Hospital said. Hari Singh Negi,Chandra Devis son,and a head constable with the Delhi Police,said his mother had gone for her third dose of the vaccine,after she was bitten by a kitten. She took the last two doses at the same hospital. I rushed to the hospital after I was told about it, Negi said. Sharmas nephew said his uncle had always gone to the same hospital for the anti-rabies injection. This was his last dose. Doctors suspect his brain function was affected,but they are not confirming it. He was completely normal when he left home,its unbelievable how he has suddenly become critical, he said. New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has constituted a four-member committee to investigate the matter. These two injections were given from a new vial. We have sealed that particular vial. The inquiry committee will submit its report at the earliest, NDMC spokesperson Amit Prasad said. Notwithstanding the probe ordered by the civic body,Chandras family has registered a case under Section 377 of IPC against unknown persons. Sharmas family,however,are yet to approach the police. NDMC authorities contacted us. Let my uncle get better,then we will worry about registering a case, Sharmas nephew said.
