An Indian couple is seeking legal action against pharma giant AstraZeneca and Indian manufacturer Serum Institute of India (SII) for their daughter's death after receiving the Covishield vaccine. The couple claims that the vaccine caused her death and other serious injuries, including a rare blood clotting disorder. They are also calling out the government and regulatory bodies for not stopping the vaccine's rollout earlier despite reports of adverse events. If justice is not served, they plan to file additional lawsuits against all parties involved.
AstraZeneca-Serum Institute Vaccine Controversy: Indian Couple Sues Over Daughter's Death
Background
In April 2021, the Serum Institute of India (SII) began manufacturing the AstraZeneca-Oxford COVID-19 vaccine known as Covishield for distribution in India. The vaccine was approved by the Indian drug regulator for emergency use.
However, concerns arose over the vaccine's safety following reports of rare but serious adverse events, including blood clots and a condition called thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS). In March 2021, several European countries suspended the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine due to these concerns.
Indian Couple's Lawsuit
On July 11, 2022, an Indian couple filed a legal case against AstraZeneca and SII, alleging that their daughter's death was caused by the Covishield vaccine. The couple's daughter, a 30-year-old health worker, received the vaccine on March 8, 2021. Nine days later, she developed severe headaches and vomiting. She was diagnosed with TTS and died on March 24, 2021.
The couple alleges that the vaccine was defective and that the manufacturers and government failed to adequately warn about its potential side effects. They are also critical of the Indian drug regulator for not suspending the vaccine's use despite the reports of adverse events.
Government Response
The Indian government has stated that it "stands by" the safety of the Covishield vaccine and that the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks. The government has also said that it is monitoring the situation and will take appropriate action if necessary.
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