Wife Alleges Husband Died After Getting COVID Vaccination: Madras High Court Orders Expert Autopsy As Per AEFI Guidelines

The Bench of Justice M. M. Sundresh and Justice S. Ananthi was hearing the plea of one Ambika (a daily wage labourer), wife of the Deceased, who alleged that her husband got vaccination on January 21^st 2021, however, his health started deteriorating and on January 30, when he was travelling to Madurai for a medical checkup, he threw up and collapsed at the Aruppukottai New Bus Stand.

Ambika, in her plea, also alleged that her husband was unwilling to get vaccinated but after the panchayat authorities threatened to terminate him from work, he gave his consent for vaccination.

The case of the petitioner was that the deceased is suspected to have died after having the COVID-vaccine.

The Counsel for the petitioner submitted that though it is only in the realm of suspicion, the respondents ought to have followed the guidelines of the year 2015, namely, AEFI Operational Guidelines.

Significantly, the Guidelines state that the Autopsy will have to be done by a team of Doctors consisting of Autopsy Surgeon, Pathologist and Forensic Specialist.

Also, it was also submitted that in the recent guidelines for COVID-19 vaccines, 2020, it has been stated that there must be an investigation on AEFI cases.

It may be noted that as per the World Health Organisation, an Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI) is any untoward medical occurrence which follows immunization and which does not necessarily have a causal relationship with the usage of the vaccine.

The adverse event may be any unfavourable or unintended sign, abnormal laboratory finding, symptom or disease.

The petitioner was represented by Advocate Dr. R. Alagumani assisted by Advocate K. Pushpavanam.

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