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

Biocon Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw on Thursday opposed Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's claim linking the Covid-19 vaccine and the spate of heart attacks in Hassan district, saying such claims are "factually incorrect" and "misleading".

The 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.

Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said that his government is taking this matter very seriously. He also announced the formation of an expert committee led by Dr Ravindranath, Director of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, to investigate the deaths. The committee has been instructed to submit its report within ten days.

In a social media post, Shaw said "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."

"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," Shaw, Executive Chairperson of the pharma company, said.