The parents of Karunya, a woman who allegedly died after receiving the Covishield Covid-19 vaccine, are considering legal action against the Serum Institute of India (SII). This follows a recent admission by British pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca that its vaccine can cause rare but serious side effects. Covishield, developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University, was manufactured and widely distributed in India by the Serum Institute.
Karunya’s father, Venugopalan Govindan, states that his daughter passed away in July 2021, shortly after being inoculated with the Covishield vaccine. However, a government-appointed committee concluded that there was insufficient evidence to directly link her death to the vaccine’s administration.
This development comes in the wake of AstraZeneca facing a class-action lawsuit in the United Kingdom. In court documents, the company has acknowledged that its Covid-19 vaccine can lead to a rare but potentially life-threatening side effect involving blood clots and low platelet counts.
While a few families had previously filed legal cases blaming the vaccine for the deaths of their children, those petitions were directed towards the government and regulatory authorities responsible for approving the vaccine’s use. The Serum Institute of India was not named as a party in those earlier cases.
The Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, marketed under various brand names including Covishield and Vaxzevria, was widely distributed and administered globally during the pandemic. However, in light of safety concerns surrounding the rare but serious side effects, the vaccine is no longer being used in the United Kingdom.
The current class-action lawsuit in the UK was initiated by Jamie Scott, who suffered a permanent brain injury after receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine in April 2021. While independent studies have demonstrated the vaccine’s effectiveness in combating Covid-19, the emergence of these rare side effects has prompted increased regulatory scrutiny and legal action.
As news of AstraZeneca’s admission spreads, more families who have experienced tragic losses potentially linked to the vaccine may consider pursuing legal recourse. The situation highlights the delicate balance between the urgent need for widespread vaccination during a global pandemic and the imperative to ensure the utmost safety and transparency regarding potential side effects.
For the parents of Karunya and others who have lost loved ones, AstraZeneca’s acknowledgment of the vaccine’s risks may provide newfound validation and a path towards seeking justice. However, the legal proceedings are likely to be complex, with a need to establish direct causation and weigh the vaccine’s benefits against its potential risks.
As the world continues to grapple with the lasting impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, this legal development serves as a reminder of the importance of ongoing vigilance, transparent communication, and a commitment to upholding the highest standards of safety and ethical conduct in the development and distribution of life-saving medical interventions.