CM Siddaramaiah's remarks on Covid vaccines 'factually incorrect,' says Biocon chief

Biocon's chief counter came after Siddaramaiah blamed the Covid-19 vaccines for the death of over 20 people in Hassan district in the last one month.

Bengaluru: In response to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's comment on Covid-19 vaccines being 'hastily' approved, in connection to twenty people having died of heart attacks in the past month, Biocon chief Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw took to X, to call out the CM on a 'factually incorrect' claim.

"COVID-19 vaccines developed in India were approved under the Emergency Use Authorisation framework, following rigorous protocols aligned with global standards for safety and efficacy. To suggest that these vaccines were ‘hastily’ approved is factually incorrect and contributes to public misinformation," she wrote.

She urged the CM to stray away from retrospective blame. "These vaccines have saved millions of lives and, like all vaccines, may cause side effects in a very small number of individuals. It is important to acknowledge the science and data-driven processes behind their development, rather than engage in retrospective blame," she added.

Speaking on the rising number of heart attacks in Hassan, on Tuesday, the CM had said, "I condemn the actions of BJP leaders who are using such matters for their political gains. 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. Before BJP criticize us on this matter, they should ask their conscience."