'People shouldn't be made lab rats' says Jharkhand Health Minister on COVID-19 vaccines

As Centre on Saturday me an announcement of nationwide vaccination to begin from January 16, Jharkhand Health Minister Banna Gupta has given a word of caution on Sunday, stating that Central Government should judge aunticity, relevance and utility of  vaccines before beginning vaccination.

He furr said, "people of this country shouldn't be me lab rats".

Jharkhand health minister said that his government wouldn't bring in political differences and will stand with Centre as far as public and national welfare is concerned.

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Politics over vaccines

politics over Coronavirus vaccines continues to intensify as Chhattisgarh Health Minister T S Singh Deo on Saturday said use of Bharat Biotech's Covaxin must not be allowed in state while citing that vaccine is still in phase 3 trials. Chhattisgarh minister said that he is "not confident of asking people to accept vaccine".

He opined that Centre has "guessed safety of vaccine from phase 1 and 2 trials". refore DCGI has approved vaccine for 'restricted emergency use', he ded.

Politicising  vaccines, Samajwi Party Chief and former UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yav h called it a BJP vaccine and refused to get himself inoculated. reafter party member Ashutosh Sinha came forward with an even more bizarre claim saying that vaccines can "make someone impotent".

Moreover, Congress leers such as Jairam Ramesh and Shashi Tharoor also raised apprehension on safety of vaccine while raising questions as to why Covaxin has been approved while Phase-3 trials are still underway with government modifying 'internationally accepted protocols'.

In response, AIIMS director Randeep Guleria clarified that Covaxin has been approved as a backup in case of a possible surge in Coronavirus due to UK and South African variant of virus.

Also, responding to harsh criticisms and politicisation, Bharat Biotech CMD Dr Krishna Ella gave assurance about safety of COVAXIN. In a virtual dress, Ella explained in detail process of clinical trials and data available in public domain regarding COVAXIN. Comparing COVAXIN's publications to or vaccines developed by Moderna, Pfizer, and or vaccine developers, Dr Ella said that Covaxin was not inferior in any manner.

Moreover, Ecuor Ambassor to India Hector Cueva Jacome participated in trials of Covaxin on Friday, while stating that he consulted researchers and experts from US and Ecuor before taking first shot of vaccine. researchers said Covaxin is a safe and convenient vaccine, Jacome ded.

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