PIL in the Supreme Court by a lawyer seeking to constitute a Medical Expert Panel to examine the risk factors and side effects of the Covishield vaccine

On May 01, 2024 (Wednesday), a PIL (Public Interest Litigation) was filed in the Supreme Court by a lawyer seeking the constitution of a Medical Expert Panel to examine the risk factors and side effects of the Covishield vaccine. It also sought compensation for those who died or were disabled due to the vaccination drive. The plea was filed after demonstrating the reports of pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca which admitted that the Covishield vaccine can cause rare side effects. The plea reads, “AstraZeneca has accepted a link between the vaccine and Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS), a medical condition characterized by abnormally low levels of platelets and the formation of blood clots.”

The plea also said “After COVID-19, there has been an increase in the cases of death due to heart attack and sudden collapse of persons. There have been a number of cases of heart attack even in youngsters.” It added, “Now after the document filed in UK court by the developer of Covishield, we are compelled to think upon the risk and hazardous consequences of the vaccine which have been administered to the citizens at a large number. The government is required to take immediate steps for the sake of the safety and health of Indian citizens. The issue has to be looked upon by the Union Government on priority so that in future no risk may occur regarding the health and life of Indian citizen.” The reliefs sought by the lawyer are mentioned as follows:

• Issue directions to Constitute in the interest of health safety a Medical Expert Panel comprising of Medical Experts from All India Institute of Medical Science, Delhi Headed by its Director and Supervised by the Retired Honorable Justice of Supreme Court of India to examine the COVISHEILD VACCINE Side Effects and its risk factors;
• Issue directions to the Union of India to Establish a Vaccine Damage Payment System for the Citizens who got severely disabled as a result of a vaccination Drive during Covid 19; and
• Issue directions to the Union of India to Compensate the People who are severely disabled or died because of the side effects of Corona vaccine administered to them during Covid 19.

The PIL filed stressed the need for immediate action by the government regarding the matter to prevent future health risks.