Hooghly teacher blocks polio shot for child; Health officials denied entry despite repeated visits

A schoolteacher in Tetorpar near Dighirpar, under West Bengal’s Hooghly district, prevented health officials from administering polio and hepatitis vaccines to his one-year-old child. The incident took place on Wednesday afternoon when a team of health officers arrived at the residence for the vaccination, but the family refused to engage with them.

According to local health officials, the father, Shivayan Murmu, is employed as a teacher at a school in Bardhaman. His wife Ishita and he have reportedly not allowed any vaccination for their child since birth. The health department confirmed that the child has not received a single dose of any government-recommended vaccine or antidote.

On Wednesday, the Block Health Officer, accompanied by WHO Surveillance Medical Officer Pranay Dutta, Field Monitoring Officer Sheikh Soleman, BDO Sebanti Biswas, and local representatives, visited the family’s residence. Despite knocking and waiting, the family did not open the door. A formal notice was pasted outside the house, and the team returned without administering the vaccines.

Pandua Block Health Officer Sheikh Manzoor Alam said, “If the child does not receive polio drops or antidotes, it can pose a risk in the future—not only to the child but also to others. Our team went to their house to counsel the family, but they did not cooperate.” He also informed that there are two more children in the house who have not been vaccinated.

The health department has instructed the family to visit the Block Health Office with the child on Thursday. Officials have stated that the matter will be reported to higher authorities, and the next steps will be taken based on their instructions.