New Delhi: The Supreme Court has reserved its verdict regarding a plea for compensation claims against the Indian government, linked to deaths allegedly caused by Covid-19 vaccines. This case revolves around two women who reportedly passed away after receiving the Covishield vaccine in 2021, suffering severe adverse effects.
During the hearing, senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, representing the petitioners, raised concerns about transparency in vaccine data. He noted that while the UK has openly shared vaccine data, India has administered 30 times more doses without providing similar transparency. “Why does it seem like India is hiding information?” he asked.
The bench, consisting of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, questioned Gonsalves about trusting UK data over Indian data. Gonsalves expressed his belief that the UK’s data appears more accurate. He urged for an independent expert body to investigate the adverse effects of the vaccines further.
In response, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati highlighted statistics from the Indian vaccination program. As of December 2024, India had administered 220 crore doses, with reported adverse effects in 92,697 cases—only a small fraction, leading to 1,171 deaths. This translates to 0.00005 percent of total doses, emphasizing that while every drug carries potential side effects, reactions can vary from person to person.
Recent statistics suggest that public trust in vaccine data can heavily influence vaccination rates. A survey by the Pew Research Center found that in 2022, about 65% of respondents in higher-income countries felt confident in their government’s vaccine safety data, while that number fell to 48% in lower-income nations. This discrepancy can lead to hesitancy, which is vital for public health initiatives.
The Supreme Court emphasized the need for clarity and fairness in the process, asking both sides to submit written statements before making a final decision. The outcome could have significant implications for how vaccine-related claims are handled in the future, affecting public confidence in health initiatives and government transparency.
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COVID, COVID VACCINES, PANDEMIC, SUPREME COURT, GONSALVES CONTENDED THAT UK DATA SEEMS TO BE CORRECT BUT HE COULD BE CORRECTED
