PIL in SC seeks examination of Covishield side effects

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court on Wednesday, seeking the issuance of directives to establish a medical expert panel to examine Covishield vaccine side effects.

The PIL, filed by advocate Vishal Tiwari, also urged the court to direct the Central Government to institute a vaccine damage payment system for citizens who suffered severe disabilities due to COVID-19 vaccination.

Advocate Vishal Tiwari, in the plea, sought the formation of a medical expert panel comprising experts from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, led by its director and overseen by a retired Supreme Court justice, to evaluate Covishield vaccine side effects and associated risk factors.

The petition further sought directives for the Centre to compensate individuals severely disabled or deceased as a result of Corona vaccine side effects administered during the pandemic.

In the plea, Advocate Vishal Tiwari referenced recent disclosures regarding Covishield vaccine side effects. AstraZeneca acknowledged a link between the vaccine and Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS), a condition marked by abnormally low platelet levels and blood clotting. Serum Institute of India (SII), based in Pune, was granted a license to manufacture Covishield during the pandemic.

Advocate Vishal Tiwari stated that over 175 crore doses of Covishield have been administered in India. The application highlighted an increase in post-COVID-19 cases of heart attacks and sudden collapses, even among young individuals.

The recent document filed in a UK court by the Covishield developer compelled consideration of the vaccine’s risks and potential consequences, particularly given its widespread administration to citizens.

“The government must take immediate measures for the safety and health of Indian citizens,” the application asserted. It emphasized the urgency for the Central Government to prioritize addressing the issue to prevent future risks to the health and lives of Indian citizens.

The application noted that some countries, such as the UK, have a vaccine damage payment system for individuals severely disabled by vaccination.