Families of the young children who died in a botched measles vaccination campaign in Kapoeta state have called on the government to compensate them, a local official said.
In early June, the government said all of the children who died were younger than 5. Reportedly, a commission was set up to determine who is responsible and compensate victims’ families.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Monday, the Commissioner of Kapoeta East County, Jaafer Lowra called on the governor of Kapoeta state Louis Lobong to compensate the victims’ families according to traditions of the Toposa tribe.
According to the Toposa customs, the commissioner said, a male child is compensated with the payment of 32 heads of cattle and a female child is compensated with the payment of 35 heads of cattle.
He pointed out that the botched measles vaccination killed at least 16 children in Kauto area.
A government investigative committee established that the deaths were caused by the use of dirty needles, used repeatedly to inject different children, and the vaccines were not refrigerated, with unqualified workers administering the vaccinations.