Akhilesh Yadav Demands Probe into BJP's Alleged Vaccine Donations from AstraZeneca

Akhilesh Yadav, the chief of the Samajwadi Party, has accused the BJP government of risking lives for political donations from the manufacturer of the Covishield vaccine, AstraZeneca. Yadav is demanding a high-level judicial probe, citing AstraZeneca's admission in a UK court that its widely used Covishield vaccine can cause rare side effects, including blood clots and low platelet count.

The class action lawsuit filed in the UK claimed that the vaccine led to deaths and severe injuries, seeking damages up to £100m for about 50 victims. Yadav has alleged that the BJP government continued to promote the Covishield vaccine despite the known risks, putting lives at stake for political and financial gains.

Yadav stated that allowing such "lethal medicines" amounts to a "conspiracy to murder" and those responsible should be prosecuted. The SP leader claimed that the BJP took a commission of Rs 200-300 crore from the vaccine manufacturer and "forcibly" administered the vaccine to people.

The admission by AstraZeneca comes in legal documents responding to a group action claim launched by Leigh Day partner Sarah Moore under the Consumer Protection Act 1987 against AstraZeneca. Fifty-one claimants are pursuing the claim due to injuries allegedly caused by the Vaxzevria AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine, and twelve of them are acting on behalf of loved ones who died following complications from the vaccine.

AstraZeneca has disputed the claims but has admitted that its vaccine "can, in very rare cases, cause Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS)", a rare syndrome characterized by blood clotting and low platelet count. The claimants are calling for the government to review the Vaccine Damages Payment Scheme, which has been criticized for its inaccessibility and low payouts.

Why this matters: The allegations by opposition parties in India and the legal case in the UK raise serious questions about the safety of the widely administered Covishield vaccine and the potential influence of political donations on public health decisions. The outcome of the judicial probe demanded by Yadav and the UK lawsuit could have significant implications for vaccine manufacturers, governments, and public trust in immunization programs.

Other opposition parties, including the RJD, SP, and UP Congress, have made similar allegations, claiming that the BJP took commissions from the vaccine manufacturer and administered low-quality vaccines to the people during the pandemic, leading to deaths and health complications. The Delhi Health Minister has also expressed concern over the alleged side effects of the Covishield vaccine, claiming that it was banned in several European countries due to safety concerns.

Key Takeaways

• Akhilesh Yadav accuses BJP of risking lives for political donations from Covishield maker
• UK lawsuit claims Covishield caused deaths, injuries; AstraZeneca admits rare side effects
• Yadav demands judicial probe, alleges BJP took commission, forcibly administered vaccine
• Opposition parties claim BJP took commissions, administered low-quality vaccines leading to deaths
• Outcome of probe, lawsuit could impact vaccine makers, governments, public trust in vaccines