'Because Of Covid Vaccines, We're Able To Deal With Outbreak' : Supreme Court Dismisses Plea Alleging Vaccine Side Effects
The Supreme Court today (October 14) dismissed a Public Interest Litigation alleging health side effects to the Covid Vaccines.
The counsel for the petitioners stated that allegedly the vaccines induced side effects like blood clotting. He mentioned that class action suits have been filed in foreign countries like the United Kingdom on the same concerns.
The bench led by CJI DY Chandrachud comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra was hearing the matter.
At the outset, the CJI stressed that vaccines had globally aided in overcoming the pandemic crisis and that filing such petitions now would not be appropriate.
"Because of the Covid Vaccines, we were able to deal with the outbreak which shook the humanity. Now don't rake up these issues."
CJI said that if the petitioners were really aggrieved, then they should file class action suits instead of filing Article 32 petitions.
Justice Pardiwala then interjected to ask if the petitioner suffered from any side effects personally after taking the vaccine. The counsel replied in the negative.
While refusing to entertain the petition any further, the CJI remarked:
"Also understand what would be the side effects, if you didn't have the vaccine .....we don't want to rake this up, this is just to create a sensation ...dismissed"
Notably, the British Pharma Company AstraZeneca is facing a legal suit by 51 petitioners before the UK High Court claiming fatalities and severe injuries as a result of the vaccine. During the proceedings, the Company admitted that the covid vaccine may cause a condition named thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) in rare scenarios.
AstraZeneca had developed the vaccines including 'Covishield' which was manufactured by Serum Institute of India.
Case Details : PRIYA MISHRA AND ANR. Versus UNION OF INDIA AND ORS. Diary No. 22945-2024