Can't deny Covid vaccine link to heart attacks in Karnataka: CM Siddaramaiah

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said "hastily-approved" Covid vaccines could be a reason for the spate of heart attacks being reported in the state.

Siddaramaiah said this in a statement as more than 20 deaths due to heart attacks reported from Hassan this past month. "The government is taking this matter very seriously," he said.

"It cannot be denied that the hasty approval and distribution of the Covid vaccine to the public could also be a reason for these deaths, as several studies worldwide have recently indicated that Covid vaccines could be a cause for the increasing number of heart attacks," he said.

A committee of experts has been formed under Dr Ravindranath, the director of the Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences & Research. "...they have been instructed to submit a study report within 10 days," he said.

"Orders were given to this same committee back in February to conduct a thorough study on the reasons behind sudden deaths among young people in the state, and whether the Covid vaccines could have any adverse effects. In this regard, the process of examining and analyzing heart patients is also underway," Siddaramaiah said.

Siddaramaiah slammed the opposition BJP for politicising the issue. "We, too, value the lives of children, youth and innocent people who have their entire lives ahead of them, and we share the concerns of their families. I condemn the actions of BJP leaders who are using such matters for their political gains," he said.

"We are fully committed to finding the true cause behind these sudden series of deaths happening in Hassan district and across the state and to preventing them," Siddaramaiah said. "I urge everyone to visit the nearest health center immediately for a check-up if you have symptoms such as chest pain or difficulty breathing. Do not ignore these signs," he said.