Tiruvallur (Tamil Nadu), April 23 (IANS) Three female infants, aged between nine and 10 months, died after being administered small pox vaccine at a state run primary health centre in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvallur district Wednesday, police said. The infants developed breathing problems and collapsed within minutes of being given the vaccine at a health camp in Tennalurpettai village, about 30 km north of the state capital Chennai.

Two boys also fell ill after being given the vaccine and were admitted to the district general hospital here in a serious condition, police said.

“We have stopped administering the vaccine and a team of doctors from the health directorate have begun investigations. Samples of the vaccine have been sent to Chennai for tests,” Tiruvallur District Collector Rajendra Kumar told IANS.

Reacting to a demand for a judicial inquiry by the parents of the deceased infants, Kumar said the matter was already under investigation.

“Other steps will be taken on the basis of orders from senior government officials in Chennai,” Kumar added.