Karnataka CM responds to Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw after being called out on X, Biocon chief calls for truce

The online dialogue between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Biocon Chief Kiran Mazumdar Shaw continues.

After the Biocon chief called out the CM for a ‘factually incorrect’ statement regarding the ‘hasty’ approval of Covid-19 vaccines, linking it to the death of 20 people in Hassan in the past month due to heart attacks, the CM has responded.

He took to X on Thursday, sharing, “As Chief Minister, I have a duty to respond to the genuine concerns of people who have lost loved ones unexpectedly. When parents lose their young children or families lose breadwinners without warning, seeking clarity is not misinformation; it is an act of governance rooted in empathy.

While COVID vaccines may have saved many lives, globally, several studies and even admissions by manufacturers (e.g., AstraZeneca: telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/04/2…) have acknowledged rare but serious adverse events, including cardiac issues.”

Backing his response with more research, he said, “Scientific caution is not anti-science. Many peer-reviewed studies (such as Nature, Circulation, Journal of the American College of Cardiology) have discussed myocarditis and cardiac arrest risk, particularly among young adults post-vaccination. Publicly funded stakeholders must acknowledge both the benefits and the potential risks without fear or favour.

When I said ‘hastily’, it reflects the unprecedented speed of the emergency rollout globally without complete long-term data, acknowledged even by WHO and global regulatory agencies, who termed it a ‘calculated risk’ during a pandemic. Haste is not a sin when saving lives, but acknowledging potential unintended consequences is wisdom.”

He was merely seeking answers and not shifting blame, he said.

In response, Kiran called for a truce on Friday morning. Her post reads: “I agree with Hon CM @siddaramaiah asking questions and seeking answers in science. However, my comments related to whether Covid vaccines were approved in haste n my response was that due process was followed as prescribed by WHO for safety n efficacy for EUA. Losing lives in a sudden manner is always tragic n I am glad an investigation is being conducted in Hassan District.”