‘Misleading’: Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw dismisses Siddaramaiah's claim on COVID-19 vaccines

Biocon founder's comments comes a day after the Union health ministry dismissed the chief minister’s claims and said there is no direct link between the vaccination and the sudden cardiac deaths.

Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw dismissed Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah's remarks linking COVID-19 vaccines to a surge in heart attack deaths in Hassan district, saying his statements were “factually incorrect” and contributed to public misinformation.

Siddaramaiah had said that the Covid-19 vaccine might be a reason for the sudden spike in heart attack cases in Hassan district where at least 18 cases of cardiac deaths were reported in the last one month. He had also claimed the vaccines were 'hastily' approved by the central government.

Siddaramaiah  had claimed, "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..."

Reacting to Siddaramaiah post on X, 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."

"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.

Shah’s comments comes a day after the Union health ministry dismissed the chief minister’s claims and said there is no direct link between the vaccination and the sudden cardiac deaths. Citing two studies conducted by the ICMR, the ministry asserted that the vaccines in India are safe and effective.