A three-month-old infant lost his life within 10 hours of being administered with the Pentavalent vaccine at Lavagada Anganwadi Centre of Arjuwa Panchayat under Pertawar Police Station on Friday.

The baby was the only son of villager Girish Karmali, who with other locals alleged negligence on part of the sahiya and the ANM.

However, Civil Surgeon AK Pathak on Saturday brushed off the claims. “It is difficult to say that the baby died due to vaccination. As six other babies were administered the vaccine from the same vail on the day. They are fit and fine. We are probing into the matter,” he said.

Pathak formed a two-member committee of the District Reproductive and Child Health Officer and the Surveillance Medical Officer of WHO to ascertain the cause of death. Despite this, the baby’s body was not sent for postmortem.

Karmali said it was the sahiya or Anganwadi assistant who had informed them about the vaccination drive, after which he and his wife took the baby to the centre for inoculation.

“The child was completely healthy before vaccination. After taking the vaccination, the infant did not cry nor did he feel any pain. This was not taken seriously by ANM and others. At night about 11.30 pm, he died following nose bleeding.”

Karmali accused ANM Kumari Babita and her colleagues who had vaccinated the baby.

On receiving the news, Petarwar BDO Shailendra Kumar Chaurasia, Medical in-Charge Albarka Kerketa and Petarwar Police reached the spot and talked to the family.

Karketta said that information has been taken from the family about the incident, in which they have accused ANM of negligence. A show cause notice has been issued to all those who were involved in the vaccination drive. They have been asked to reply within 24 hours.