SC puts Centre on notice on Covid vaccine trial data

The Supreme Court issued notice to the Central government, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and vaccine manufacturers on a PIL seeking publication of Covid-19 vaccine trial data.

New Delhi:The Supreme Court issued notice to the Central government, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and vaccine manufacturers on a PIL seeking publication of Covid-19 vaccine trial data. The bench comprising of justices L Nageswara Rao and Aniruddha Bose directed the Centre and others to respond to the petition within four weeks.

The plea filed by Dr Jacob Puliyel stated that people in the country have a right to know the risks and complications involved in the vaccine. "India already has a serious problem of vaccine hesitancy," said the court. The bench while referring to the problem of vaccine hesitancy asked petitioner's advocate Prashant Bhushan, if considering the petition would not lead to doubts in the minds of the citizens over vaccines.

Bhushan clarified that it is neither an anti-vaccine petition nor the petitioner is attempting to halt inoculation against Covid in the country. He added that data disclosure will clear all doubts and transparency on the issue was needed. The matter will be heard again after four weeks.