Two days back, a 40 year old Indian volunteer for 'Covidshield', vaccine being tested by Serum Institute of India, had sued the company for Rs 5 crore, after facing adverse health reactions triggered by the vaccine.
And now, the Pune-based institute has defied his claims as 'malicious and misconceived', seeking Rs 100 crore for damages from him. The volunteer was given a dose of Covidshield in a clinical trial on October 1 and his health started deteriorating after 10 days when he reported severe headache and vomiting.
Follow-up also found out that he had developed antibodies to Sars-Coronavirus which implies that he had received the vaccine. He was admitted in ICU for 10 days and his discharge summary revealed that he had suffered 'acute encephalopathy'.
A law firm had sent a legal notice to SII on his behalf asking for a compensation of Rs 5 crore which will now be countered by the institute's claim.
Moreover, the institute is looking to apply for emergency use authorisation of the vaccine at the earliest possible, according to a statement by the SII chief executive.
