Covid-19 Vaccine: Bharat Biotech Commits To Compensate If Covaxin Receivers Experience 'Serious Adverse' Effects

Bharat Biotech, the developer of ‘Covaxin’, has committed to paying compensation in case a receiver experiences any serious side-effects after receiving the shot. Read on.

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New Delhi: Bharat Biotech, the developer of ‘Covaxin’, has committed to paying compensation in case a receiver experiences any serious side-effects after receiving the shot.

Bharat Biotech is reported to have received a government purchase order for the supply of 55 lakh doses of Covaxin. The company has now stated that it will pay compensation to recipients in case of any serious adverse effects.

In the consent form to be signed by the vaccine recipients, as reported by news agency PTI, Bharat Biotech stated, "In case of any adverse events or serious adverse events, you will be provided medically recognised standard of care in the government designated and authorised centres/hospitals".

"The compensation for serious adverse event will be paid by sponsor (BBIL) in case if the SAE is proven to be causally related to the vaccine," it added.

Covaxin had successfully undergone the first and second trials. But concerns have been raised as its clinical efficacy is yet to be established with phase 3 clinical trials underway.

"Hence it is important to appreciate that receiving the vaccine does not mean that other precautions related to Covid-19 need not be followed," the consent form read.

As the vaccine is being administered while in the clinical trial mode, the company is liable to pay compensation to people in case of serious side effects, an industry expert stated.

Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin was given restricted emergency use authorization along with Oxford-Serum Institute’s Covishield by Drug Controller General of India.

India witnessed the beginning of Coronavirus inoculation on Saturday with PM Narendra Modi inaugurating the “world’s largest vaccination drive”.

He teared up as he talked about the journey of lakhs of people who worked to eradicate the deadly pandemic from the country. "Some of them could not even return home," he said.

"India begins the world’s Largest Vaccine Drive. This is a day of pride, a celebration of the prowess of our scientists and the hard work of our medical fraternity, nursing staff, police personnel and sanitation workers. May everyone be healthy and free from illness," the PM tweeted.

(With Agency Inputs)