In the eminent chambers of the Supreme Court, a petition has been set forth, beseeching directives for the constitution of a council of medical scholars hailing from the All India Institute of Medical Science, stationed in Delhi. This council, to be helmed by the institution’s director, and overseen by a former adjudicator of the apex court, is tasked with scrutinizing the adverse effects and risk factors associated with the Covishield vaccine.
The petition, advanced by legal practitioner Vishal Tiwari, underscores recent revelations concerning the Covishield vaccine’s propensity to induce adverse reactions in isolated instances. Notably, the developer of Covishield, AstraZeneca, has acknowledged the potential for its AZD1222 vaccine, manufactured in India as Covishield, to precipitate diminished platelet counts and the formation of blood clots in exceedingly rare circumstances.
“AstraZeneca has conceded a correlation between the vaccine and Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS), a medical anomaly characterized by markedly low platelet levels and the formation of blood clots. The formula for AstraZeneca’s vaccine was licensed to the Serum Institute of India (SII) in Pune, amid the throes of the coronavirus pandemic, for the production of Covishield. To date, in excess of 175 crore doses of Covishield have been dispensed across India,” asserts the petition.
Furthermore, the plea notes a surge in fatalities attributable to cardiac arrest and sudden collapses post the Covid-19 era, with a notable incidence of myocardial infarctions even among the youthful demographic.
“The onus lies upon the government to expeditiously address the imperatives concerning the welfare and well-being of Indian denizens. This exigency warrants the undivided attention of the Union government to avert prospective health risks and safeguard the lives of its citizens,” implores the petitioner.
In its entreaty, the petitioner implores the apex court to mandate the establishment of a mechanism for compensating individuals who have suffered severe disabilities as a consequence of their participation in the vaccination campaign during the Covid-19 crisis. Additionally, the plea seeks redressal for those who have incurred severe disabilities or succumbed due to the adverse effects of the coronavirus vaccine administered during the pandemic.