'I have a duty...': Siddaramaiah reacts to Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, repeats claim on vaccine-heart attack

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday reacted to Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw after she dismissed the former’s claim over Covid-19 vaccination by saying the CM's accusation was not only 'factually incorrect' but also misleading.

In a post on X, Siddaramaiah said seeking clarity is not “misinformation" and called an “act of governance rooted in empathy". He also shared that an article in the Telegraph, where “AstraZeneca admitted side effects of vaccine," and said that several studies and even admissions by manufacturers have acknowledged rare but serious adverse events, including cardiac issues.

The Biocon founder objected to Siddaramaiah’s claim that Covid-19 vaccines were “hastily" approved and said rigorous protocols aligned with global standards for safety and efficacy were followed.

“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," she wrote in a post on X.