New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India is poised to address a petition concerning a rare side-effect potentially linked to the Covishield vaccine, developed jointly by AstraZeneca and Oxford University and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India. Chief Justice DY Chandrachud has acknowledged the gravity of the situation, with demands for an expert panel investigation and government compensation for affected families gaining traction.
Although a date for the hearing has not yet been scheduled, an expedited session has been ruled out. The petitioner advocates for an expert panel to delve into the reported side effects, particularly thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), alongside other potential risks. Additionally, the petition calls for the oversight of this investigation by a retired Supreme Court judge.
The concern stems from cases where individuals inoculated with Covishield during the COVID-19 pandemic reportedly suffered disabilities. AstraZeneca recently admitted that its vaccine could, in rare instances, lead to TTS, a condition characterized by blood clots and low platelet count.
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Facing class-action lawsuits in the UK with damages claimed up to 100 million pounds, AstraZeneca finds itself under scrutiny. Complaints like Jamie Scott’s, alleging a permanent brain injury due to a post-vaccination blood clot, underscore the seriousness of the issue.
AstraZeneca confirmed last month that its vaccine could cause TTS in rare instances, while expressing sympathy for affected individuals and reiterating its unwavering commitment to patient safety.
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In India, where Covishield is widely administered, concerns regarding its side effects have gained traction. Nevertheless, regulatory agencies worldwide, including the WHO, continue to emphasize that the benefits of vaccination far outweigh exceedingly rare risks of side effects, highlighting their crucial role in combating the COVID-19 pandemic.
Utilizing a viral vector platform employing a modified chimpanzee adenovirus, ChAdOx1, to deliver the COVID-19 spike protein into human cells, the Covishield vaccine trains the immune system to recognize and defend against similar viruses without causing infection.
