Paradip, March 22: An eight-year-old girl suffering from high fever and respiratory ailment was administered anti-rabies vaccine at the Jagatsinghpur district headquarters hospital.

The incident has sparked off a public outcry. Doctors, however, said that the girl was absolutely safe. The anti-rabies vaccine is administered to persons bitten by infected dogs or other animals.

Rizwana Begum, 8, had been admitted to the paediatric ward of the headquarters hospital yesterday. She had high fever and chest infection. The doctor on duty had prescribed paracetamol injection to bring down the fever. However, a negligent pharmacist administered the anti-rabies vaccine to the sick child.

Chief district medical officer Binod Behari Mohapatra said: 'Additional district medical officer has conducted an inquiry into the incident and found the veracity in the allegations. Strict disciplinary will be taken against the erring pharmacist within a day or two.'

Mohapatra said there was no cause for worry as vaccine dose of 0.5ml would have no side-effect.