The plea filed in India’s Supreme Court requests an expert medical panel to investigate potential risk factors linked to the AstraZeneca Covishield vaccine. Advocate Vishal Tiwari highlights AstraZeneca’s acknowledgment of a connection between the vaccine and Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) in his recent application.
Read Also: Mumps Cases on the Rise in Delhi, Stay Informed for Your Safety
Gangakhedkar stated that only seven to eight individuals out of every 10 lakh who receive the Covishield vaccine are at risk of experiencing a rare side effect known as Thrombosis Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS).
He also mentioned that the risk is highest after the first dose, decreases with the second dose, and is lowest after the third dose. Additionally, he noted that any side effects will likely appear within the initial two to three months. Despite the minimal associated risk, Gangakhedkar emphasized the overall safety of the Covishield vaccine, considering its significant positive impact on millions of recipients.
According to the epidemiologist, the risk is highest after the first dose, decreases with the second dose, and is lowest after the third dose. He also mentioned that any side effects will likely appear within the initial two to three months. Despite the minimal associated risk, given the significant positive impact of the Covishield vaccine on millions of recipients, the scientist emphasized its overall safety.
Following reports of pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca acknowledging that its Covishield vaccine can lead to rare side effects, a lawyer has approached the Supreme Court to form a Medical Expert Panel. This panel would investigate the side effects and risk factors associated with the Covishield vaccine and address compensation for individuals severely disabled or deceased due to the vaccination drive.
Request for AIIMS Expert-Headed Panel in Covishield Vaccine Safety Plea
Advocate Vishal Tiwari filed the plea, highlighting AstraZeneca’s admission regarding its AZD1222 vaccine against COVID-19 (marketed as Covishield in India). The company acknowledged that in “sporadic” instances, the vaccine could result in low platelet count and the formation of blood clots.
Following the document filed in a UK court by the developer of Covishield, we are compelled to consider the risks and hazardous consequences of the Covishield vaccine, which has been administered to many citizens.
Tiwari asserts that Covishield vaccines were administered based on the Indian government’s approach and safety assurance. Referring to the Vaccine Damage Payment System in the United Kingdom, the plea emphasizes the need to compensate those severely disabled by the vaccine. It urges the Union government to prioritize this matter to ensure that people’s health is not at risk in the future.”
The reliefs sought include directing the constitution of a Medical Expert Panel dedicated to health safety. This panel would consist of medical experts from All India Institute of Medical Science, Delhi, with the director as its head, and a retired Honorable Justice of the Supreme Court of India would supervise it. Their role would be to thoroughly examine the side effects and risk factors of the Covishield vaccine.
Additionally, there’s a plea to direct the Union of India to establish a Vaccine Damage Payment System. This system is aimed at providing compensation to citizens who have been severely disabled as a result of the vaccination drive during Covid-19. Moreover, there’s a request to direct the Union of India to compensate individuals who have experienced severe disability or death due to the side effects of the Corona vaccine administered during COVID-19.
The modified title “Not Cause for Concern: Expert Assures Covishield Vaccine Safety” conveys that there is no need for alarm regarding the safety of the Covishield vaccine. It suggests that an expert has assured the vaccine’s safety, highlighting that there is currently no reason to worry. This title encapsulates the message that although rare occurrences of side effects like Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) have been reported, the overall safety profile of the Covishield vaccine remains reassuring, according to the expert’s assessment.
To get more of our exclusive content on Health Care and Lifestyle. Follow us on YouTube and Instagram.