Karnataka CM's remarks on Covid vaccines 'factually incorrect' says Biocon chief Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Siddaramaiah hits back
Siddaramaiah had suggested that the recent heart attack deaths in Hassan district may be linked to the vaccination drive. He had also claimed the vaccines were 'hastily' approved.
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… https://t.co/uMEcMXzBV0 — Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (@kiranshaw) July 3, 2025
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.
Not misinformation, but governance rooted in empathy
Responding to Shaw, in a post on X, Siddaramaiah said that 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.'
Pointing out that several studies and even admissions by manufacturers have acknowledged rare but serious adverse events, 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, he said. 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 emergency rollouts 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. Seeking answers is not retrospective blame. It is the duty of a government that values every life," the CM said.
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… https://t.co/JjssvDhNeV — Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) July 3, 2025
Replying to his post again, Ms. Shaw said that while she concurs with the CM about asking questions and seeking answers in science, she clarified that her comments were related to whether Covid vaccines were approved in haste. '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 (sic),' she said.
CM's statement
The Chief Minister had said on July 1 that over 20 people had died of heart attack in Hassan district in the past month alone, and that the state government was taking the matter seriously. He 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.
The CM said a similar directive had been issued in February to study sudden deaths among young people across the state and whether Covid-19 vaccines could have had any adverse effects.
"It cannot be denied that the hasty approval and distribution of the covid vaccine to the public could also be a reason for these deaths, as several studies worldwide have recently indicated that covid vaccines could be a cause for the increasing number of heart attacks," Siddaramaiah had said.
Union Health Ministry's clarification
On Wednesday (July 2), the Union Health Ministry had dismissed the CM's statement, saying extensive studies by ICMR and AIIMS have conclusively established no linkages between coronavirus vaccines and sudden deaths.
Studies by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) affirm that Covid-19 vaccines in India are safe and effective, with extremely rare instances of serious side effects, it said.
Sudden cardiac deaths can result from a wide range of factors, including genetics, lifestyle, pre-existing conditions, and post-covid complications, the ministry had said in a statement.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
From Free Power to EVs: Punjab's power demand set to soar to 1.26 LMU by 2036.
With box attached in CCI Chandigarh: Electricity demand in Punjab is projected to soar to 1,26,347 million units (MU) by financial year 2036, driven by industrial expansion, increased household consumption, and a sharp rise in electric vehicle (EV) adoption. A new study urges the state to undergo a major energy transition — cutting dependence on fossil fuels, ramping up renewables, and upgrading infrastructure — to avoid power shortages and environmental setbacks. State's industrial ambition are still tied to old-school energy. The report, 'Punjab Roadmap 2036: Clean Energy Transition', published by the Centre for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP), projects a 68% increase from the state's current demand of 75,316 MU in FY 2025. Peak power demand is expected to rise from 16,058 MW in 2025 to 27,040 MW by 2036. Punjab has already experienced power deficits in FY 2022 and 2023 — 404 MU and 330 MU respectively — following a post-Covid industrial revival and the rollout of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) govt's 300-unit free power scheme for households. Despite having an installed generation capacity of 14,861 MW, the state heavily depends on thermal power, which accounts for 56% of its energy mix. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Solar and wind make up just 18%, while hydro contributes 23%. Nuclear and other non-conventional sources remain marginal. The study calls for capacity additions of 26,372 MW by the 2036 fiscal, including 7,451 MW of energy storage through pumped hydro and battery systems to handle the intermittency of renewable energy sources. Electric vehicles are expected to further reshape Punjab's energy landscape. From just 75 EVs registered in 2017, the number rose to 25,492 in 2023, and is projected to reach 51 lakh by 2036. EV adoption is forecast to push electricity demand up by 9,087 MU. By 2030, EVs are expected to account for 30% of all new vehicle registrations, rising to 60% by FY 2036. The roadmap calls for grid infrastructure upgrades to accommodate this shift, along with public and private EV charging networks. Renewable shift, nuclear support To reduce dependence on fossil fuels, the report recommends a 67% renewable energy share by 2036 under a 'clean energy scenario', up from 46% in the 'business-as-usual' model. This shift could cut carbon emissions by 41%, reduce power purchase costs by 7.7%, and eliminate the need for about 7% of new power plants. The state is also advised to procure 2,637 MW of nuclear power to ensure consistent supply, during peak demand periods or low renewable output particularly. Land, rooftop solar, & farming Punjab's reliance on agriculture and its limited availability of non-fertile land pose challenges for large-scale renewable projects. To address this, the report urges the identification of barren or unused land for solar and wind farms. As of April 2025, the state had only 454 MW of installed rooftop solar capacity — far below potential. The roadmap suggests accelerating rooftop solar programmes, deploying smart meters, and enforcing Energy Conservation Building Codes. In the agriculture sector, the study recommends replacing 22% of inefficient irrigation pump sets with energy-efficient, star-rated alternatives by 2036, supported by a buy-back and subsidy scheme. Solarisation of pump sets is also highlighted as a key strategy to reduce the state's energy burden. Officials say the clean energy path requires higher initial investment but promises long-term economic, environmental, and energy security benefits. Punjab's energy transformation, experts say, will depend not only on technology and investment — but on political will and public participation to power the shift toward a cleaner, more resilient grid. For in the end, it's not just wires and will, but politics, people, and the power bill. box Two Pathways, One Decision The study outlines two scenarios for Punjab's energy future:- >> Business-as-Usual | 46% renewables, 54% fossil fuels, with demand reaching 1,26,347 MU and emissions at 41 MtCO2 >> Clean Energy Scenario | 67% renewables, 33% fossil fuels, with demand moderated to 1,22,271 MU and emissions cut to 30 MtCO2 — a 4% annual decline box Key Recommendations >> Identify non-fertile land for solar/wind projects >> Invest in 7,451 MW of energy storage (pumped hydro + battery) >> Procure 2,637 MW of nuclear energy >> Scale rooftop solar, smart metering, and green building codes >> Introduce green finance, buy-back of inefficient farm pumps MSID:: 122251659 413 |
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Kusum-C scheme: Target to generate 2,400MW solar power for farmers, says George
Hassan: Under the Kusum-C scheme, which aims to solarise agricultural feeders and provide daytime electricity supply to farmers' pumpsets, 200MW of electricity is being produced. In the coming months, 545MW of electricity will be generated, stated energy minister KJ George. Speaking to reporters after the energy department's progress review meeting of Hassan district, held on Friday at the Zilla Panchayat hall in the city, George said, "Under the Kusum-C scheme, construction of solar units with a capacity of around 200MW is completed. In the next few months, solar units with a capacity of 545MW will be commissioned at 93 locations. This will help provide an adequate daytime electricity supply to farmers. " "The state govt has set a target of generating 2,400MW of solar electricity through feeder solarisation of agricultural pumpsets under the Kusum-C scheme. Recently, chief minister Siddaramaiah inaugurated a solar power unit established under the Kusum-C scheme in Gauribidanur. The feeder solarisation work is progressing at a rapid pace," the energy minister added. Under the Kusum-C scheme, generating 1MW of electricity requires 4 acres of land. If govt land is available, CM Siddaramaiah has directed that it be allocated free of cost. However, private power producers must pay Rs 25,000 per acre, which will be deposited with the district commissioner and used to improve govt schools and anganwadis in villages where the substations are located, the minister elaborated. "If private land is used, developers awarded the power generation contracts will lease the land and pay landowners a minimum of Rs 25,000 per acre," George said. Of the 4 lakh unauthorised irrigation pumpsets in the state, 3 lakh are already regularised. For pumpsets within 500m of power feeders, transformers will be installed by the department. Those beyond 500m will receive solar pumpsets under the Kusum-B scheme, he said. Earlier, during a progress review meeting, the district MLAs raised issues concerning the energy department in their constituencies. In response, George instructed the CESC MD to take swift action and reiterated that officials should proactively consult elected representatives and follow through on their suggestions. MP Shreyas Patel, MLA and Housing Board chairman KM Shivalingegowda, MLAs K Manju, Swaroop Prakash, CN Balakrishna, HK Suresh, and S Manjunath, KPTCL MD Pankaj Kumar Pandey, DC S Latha Kumari, and ZP CEO BR Poornima were present.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Docs seek action as post-Covid neurological disorders rise in Mysuru
1 2 3 Mysuru: Following the state govt's move to form an expert committee to investigate a surge in sudden cardiac deaths, Mysuru-based neurologists have urged similar action to address the alarming rise in neurological disorders post-Covid-19. Dr Shushrutha Gowda, an American board-certified neurologist, reports a 30% increase in such cases, aligning with international findings that indicate a multifold rise in cities like Mysuru. He said that even though brain-related disorders are increasing, there is no effort to address them. Dr Gowda highlighted a significant uptick in conditions such as migraines, neuropathy, stroke, and dementia compared to pre-Covid times. "Neurological disorders are often more severe than cardiac issues, with higher morbidity rates. The urgency to conduct comprehensive studies and implement interventions cannot be overstated," he said. He emphasized the need for immediate action to understand and mitigate these health challenges. Citing recent cases, Dr Gowda noted treating an 18-year-old diabetic smoker for stroke, one of the youngest such patients, and dementia cases in individuals as young as 45. Diabetic persons with smoking habits are more vulnerable to neuro disorders. There is a need to take up a drive to educate society on brain health, he said. To tackle this growing crisis, he proposed statewide epidemiological surveys, regional neurology registries, and funding for research into dementia risk factors and treatments. He advocated for an integrative approach to develop effective solutions. Dr Mohamed Ataulla Shariff, consultant-neurology, Narayana Hospital, Mysuru, observed that post-Covid-19, neurological conditions like Guillain-Barré syndrome and ischemic strokes have seen an increasing trend. Many patients have shown cognitive decline (brain fog), fatigue, muscle aches, and pains. Due to steroid usage in the treatment of Covid, patients developed diabetes leading to a few neurological complications like sensory changes such as numbness and tingling, he explained. Dr Sucharitha MV, associate consultant-neurology, Manipal Hospital, Mysuru, said initially post-Covid, they did see a spike in acute ischemic strokes, cerebral haemorrhage, cerebral venous thrombosis, and encephalitis. Other common problems encountered by many patients were anosmia (loss of smell), altered taste, fatigue, headaches, dizziness, and myalgia. Over a span of a year, many patients recovered completely, while others did not return to their near normal but have shown gradual improvement. There hasn't been a drastic spike in new cases, but patients with pre-existing neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, dementia, and epilepsy, who worsened during Covid have often not returned to their pre-Covid baseline. As a delayed complication of Covid, many patients suffer from memory loss, behavioural issues, depression, and fatigue, she said. In the acute phase, patients had an increased risk of ischemic stroke, intracerebral haemorrhage, and cerebral venous thrombosis, she said. According to health department officials, the rise in the number of neurological disorders can be ascertained only when the cases are reported to the hospitals, and till now no sudden spike in the cases has been reported. Mysuru district health officer Dr PC Kumaraswamy stated that the mental health programme currently includes brain health initiatives focusing on disorders like dementia. However, he claimed no significant spike in neurological cases has been observed locally.
