Chennai, Apr 24: After stoppage of measles vaccination programme by the Tamil Nadu government, the Centre is considering the same step across the country following the death of four infants who were given vaccine shots in the state's Tiruvallur district.

The Centre's mind was conveyed by Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss to Tamil Nadu Health Minister M R K Pannerselvam when he spoke to him about the incident.

Pannerselvam told reporters that he had also apprised the Union Minister of the state's decision to suspend the programme.

Anbumani told him that he would hold an emergency meeting of officials to discuss the issue, Pannerselvam said.

Earlier, Pannerselvam told the state assembly that the vaccination programme would be suspended in the state. He said the nurses, who administered the vaccine, had been suspended.

The vaccine samples had been sent to Kasauli in Himachal Pradesh for testing at the central government laboratory there, he said.

Chief Minister M Karunanidhi announced a solatium of Rs three lakh each after members cutting across party lines demanded that compensation be paid to the families of the four children who died after they were administered the vaccine.

The children died soon after the vaccine was administered at the Katchur Primary Health Centre in Poondi panchayat union of Tiruvallur district.