Are Indian Covid Vaccines Developed with Rigorous Protocols and Global Standards?

New Delhi, July 3 (NationPress) In light of the ongoing controversy regarding the connection between Covid-19 vaccines and unexpected fatalities, Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw emphasized on Thursday that the vaccines produced in India "adhered to stringent protocols and international standards."

Taking to the social media platform X, she remarked that while Covid vaccines, like all medical treatments, may result in side effects, they are not responsible for heart attacks.

"The Covid-19 vaccines created in India received approval under the Emergency Use Authorization framework, following stringent protocols consistent with global standards concerning safety and effectiveness," she shared on X.

This statement was in response to remarks made by Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah regarding the "rushed approval and distribution of the Covid vaccine to the public," which he suggested may have contributed to the over 20 heart attack-related fatalities reported in Hassan district.

"Claiming that these vaccines were 'rushed' is not factually accurate and spreads public misinformation," Mazumdar-Shaw asserted.

"These vaccines have saved countless lives and, like all vaccines, may cause side effects in a very small portion of individuals. It is crucial to recognize the science and data-driven processes behind their development instead of engaging in retrospective blame," she added.

The global health leader also pointed out alternative factors contributing to heart attacks in the population.

"Linking heart attacks to Covid vaccines four years post-vaccination is unfounded. There are numerous other factors involved, such as performance-enhancing substances, extreme exercise habits, and more," she stated.

Since the Covid pandemic, there have been numerous reports of heart attack-related fatalities among individuals, especially the youth, leading to speculations regarding a connection with Covid vaccinations.

The Health Ministry has indicated that sudden cardiac deaths can stem from a variety of causes, including genetics, lifestyle choices, pre-existing medical conditions, and complications post-Covid, but not from the Covid vaccines which have been confirmed as safe.

In an interview with IANS, Manoj Murhekar, Director at the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Epidemiology (ICMR-NIE), stated that Covid vaccination has actually prevented sudden deaths rather than causing them.

He referenced a 2023 study conducted by ICMR in response to concerns that Covid vaccines are linked to sudden deaths in the nation.

"The results of our study indicated that Covid vaccination was not associated with sudden death. In fact, our findings show that Covid vaccination provided protection against sudden deaths," the senior scientist from the Chennai-based institute informed IANS.