The Centre on Tuesday sought to dispel doubts about the Serum Institute of India’s potential coronavirus vaccine Covishield after a volun...
The Centre on Tuesday sought to dispel doubts about the Serum Institute of India’s potential coronavirus vaccine Covishield after a volunteer claimed that he had faced “severe adverse effects” following the trial. These were the first comments by the government on the matter.
“After initial causality assessment, findings did not necessitate stoppage of the Serum trials,” Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said at a press briefing, NDTV reported. “SII vaccine trials have entered Phase 3. After reviewing all documents, SII has been given permission to conduct Phase 3 trials.”
On November 21, a 40-year-old volunteer from Chennai sued Serum Institute for Rs 5 crore alleging that the vaccine triggered an adverse reaction, including neurological impairment. The volunteer demanded that the trial be immediately halted and all plans for its “manufacture and distribution” be suspended, failing which legal action would be taken. According to the legal notice, there was a total “behavioural change” in the participant and he seemed unaware of his surroundings.
The Serum Institute denied these charges and filed a Rs 100 crore defamation case against the volunteer, calling the allegations “malicious” and “misconceived”.
Checks and balances
Bhushan said that the alleged adverse event will not affect the timeline of the vaccine in any manner. The health secretary added that there were several measures in...
