Covid vaccine update: Lawsuits, probe shroud AstraZeneca vaccine trial in India over volunteer's illness
India TodayA 40-year-old volunteer, who was part of the third phase of clinical trial of the coronavirus vaccine being developed by AstraZeneca and Serum Institute of India and is undergoing trials in India, has claimed he suffered neurological symptoms following the dosage. While the volunteer has sent a legal notice to the vaccine makers and sought Rs 5 crore damages, SII has filed a defamation case and sought Rs 100 crore in damages. Indian volunteer seeks damages from AstraZeneca The AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine is undergoing trials in India in its partnership with the Pune-based SII. A legal notice has been sent to Director General, ICMR, Drugs Controller General of India, Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, CEO, AstraZeneca UK, Professor Andrew Pollard, Chief Investigator, Oxford Vaccine Trial and Vice-Chancellor of Sri Ramachandra Higher Education and Research. Speaking to India Today TV, a senior official at SII Pune hit back at the volunteer and said, "The drug controller office and health ministry office do not have any problem with the Serum vaccine as they know that the claims made by Chennai-based volunteer is not genuine.” Refuting the allegations as baseless, SII has sued the volunteer for Rs 100 crore in a defamation suit.