Today(on 1st May),Supreme Court petition requests expert panel for Covishield side effects and compensation for vaccine-related disabilities.
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NEW DELHI: An application was filed in the Supreme Court Today(on 1st May), requesting the formation of a specialized medical expert panel to investigate the side effects of the Covishield vaccine. The petition, initiated by advocate Vishal Tiwari, also seeks to compel the Central Government to create a compensation mechanism for individuals who have been severely disabled due to vaccine-related complications during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his plea, advocate Vishal Tiwari proposes the establishment of a medical expert panel, which would include specialists from the All India Institute of Medical Science in Delhi, led by its director and overseen by a retired justice from the Supreme Court of India. The primary goal of this panel would be to thoroughly assess the side effects and potential risks associated with the Covishield vaccine.
Furthermore, the application demands that the Central Government provide compensation to those who have either become severely disabled or died as a result of adverse reactions to the COVID-19 vaccines administered during the pandemic.
In detailing the reasons for this plea, advocate Vishal Tiwari referenced recent revelations concerning the Covishield vaccine’s side effects. He highlighted statements from AstraZeneca, the pharmaceutical developer, acknowledging that its AZD1222 vaccine, marketed in India as Covishield, could potentially lead to low platelet counts and the formation of blood clots in “very rare” cases.
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AstraZeneca has confirmed a causal relationship between the vaccine and Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS), characterized by unusually low levels of platelets coupled with clot formation. The vaccine formula was licensed to the Serum Institute of India (SII) during the pandemic for the production of Covishield, with over 175 crore doses administered across the country, as mentioned by advocate Tiwari.
Advocate Tiwari also expressed concerns about the increase in heart attack cases and sudden collapses post-COVID-19, particularly among young people.
He stated-
“The recent document filed in a UK court by the developer of Covishield has raised concerns about potential adverse effects, including cases of hesitancy even among younger individuals. This prompts a reassessment of the risks associated with the widespread administration of the Covishield vaccine.”
The application highlighted the urgent need for government action to safeguard the health and safety of Indian citizens. It emphasized the necessity for the Union Government to prioritize the health risks associated with vaccinations, stating-
“The urgency of the situation necessitates immediate action by the government to safeguard the health and safety of Indian citizens. It’s imperative for the Union Government to prioritize addressing this issue to prevent any future risks to the health and lives of its citizens.”
The plea also referenced procedures in countries such as the UK, where there’s a system for compensating individuals who suffer severe disabilities from vaccination-related side effects, urging the establishment of a similar system in India.
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