‘Factually incorrect’: Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw slams Siddaramaiah’s remarks on Covid vaccines

Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw slammed Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s remarks linking Covid-19 vaccines to a surge in heart attack deaths in Hassan district, saying his statements were “factually incorrect” and contributed to public misinformation.

 

Siddaramaiah had said that the Covid-19 vaccine might be a reason for the sudden spike in heart attack cases in Hassan district where at least 18 cases of cardiac deaths were reported in the last one month. He had also claimed the vaccines were 'hastily' approved by the central government.

 

“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,” Shaw said in a social media post.

 

"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 further said.

 

Shah’s post came a day after the Union health ministry dismissed the chief minister’s claims and said there is no direct link between the vaccination and the sudden cardiac deaths.

 

Citing two studies conducted by the ICMR, the ministry asserted that the vaccines in India are safe and effective.

 

“It has also been revealed that Covid-19 vaccination does not appear to increase the risk, whereas, the role of underlying health issues, genetic predisposition and risky lifestyle choices does play a role in unexplained sudden deaths,” it said.

India