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Indian Express
a day ago
- Health
- Indian Express
Vaccine manufacturers' body, Serum Institute of India reaffirm COVID-19 vaccine safety
The Indian Vaccine Manufacturers Association (IVMA) has assured that all COVID-19 vaccines in India were approved for emergency use authorisation based on extensive evaluation in preclinical studies and human clinical trials. 'Patient safety and product quality are always prioritised during the vaccine development and its manufacture,' Dr G V J A Harshavardhan, Director General, IVMA, said in a statement released on Thursday. The statement sought to reassure the public on the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines. 'All COVID-19 vaccines in India were approved for emergency use authorisation [restricted use in emergency situations as per World Health Organization guidelines], he said, adding, 'These approvals were based on extensive evaluation in preclinical studies and human clinical trials, with positive results on safety, efficacy, and immunogenicity of these vaccines.' The IVMA statement comes in the backdrop of the Union health ministry saying on Wednesday that extensive studies by several agencies have 'conclusively established no linkages' between COVID-19 vaccines and sudden deaths. The Serum Institute of India also posted on X that the COVID-19 vaccines were safe and scientifically validated. 'Two large-scale studies by ICMR [Indian Council of Medical Research] and AIIMS [All India Institute of Medical Sciences], as cited by the Ministry of Health have found no link between Covid-19 vaccines and sudden deaths,' SII said. The IVMA statement also noted that prior to their release, all COVID-19 vaccines were tested extensively for safety by the manufacturers and were also provided Batch Release Certification by the Central Drugs Laboratory in Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh, under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. 'The strengths of innovation and large-scale, high-quality manufacturing are the hallmarks of the Indian vaccine ecosystem. COVID-19 vaccines manufactured in India were largely responsible for not only controlling the COVID-19 pandemic and restricting its impact on lives, livelihoods, but most importantly, enabling India's economic activity and GDP to rebound and grow to new heights globally,' Dr Harshavardhan said. 'This positive impact of COVID-19 vaccination was not only limited to India, but also to several countries worldwide, under the Government of India's Vaccine Maitri programme…,' he added.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Govt Reaffirms COVID Vaccine Safety as Private Hospitals Stay Quiet—Raising Questions
New Delhi: As concerns about sudden cardiac deaths among young adults continue to make headlines, the Indian government and top pharmaceutical voices have reiterated that COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and not linked to heart-related fatalities. However, a curious silence from leading private hospitals and senior doctors—who played a central role in the nationwide vaccination drive—is beginning to raise questions about transparency and public engagement. Private hospitals, which were deeply involved in the vaccination rollout, remaining silent at this juncture cannot be taken lightly. This silence is not necessarily an admission of doubt, but the absence of their voice in the public domain—especially when scientific clarity is most needed—has not gone unnoticed. Health authorities maintain that India's vaccines have undergone rigorous testing and regulatory scrutiny. Dr. G.V.J.A. Harshavardhan, Director General of the Indian Vaccine Manufacturers Association, in an official statement, reaffirmed:'COVID-19 vaccines of India were developed and manufactured with the highest safety and quality standards. Patient safety and product quality are always prioritized during the vaccine development and its manufacture.' He added that all vaccines were approved for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) based on extensive preclinical and clinical trials demonstrating safety, efficacy, and immunogenicity. 'Prior to their release, all COVID-19 vaccines are tested extensively for safety by the manufacturers and are also provided Batch Release Certification by the Central Drugs Laboratory (CDL), Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh, of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare,' he said. 'The strengths of innovation and large-scale high-quality manufacturing are the hallmarks of the Indian vaccine ecosystem.' India's Global Vaccine Leadership During the pandemic, India supplied vaccines to over 90 countries under its Vaccine Maitri initiative. Officials cite this as proof of international confidence in Indian-made vaccines. Sudarshan Jain, Secretary General of the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance, echoed this sentiment and raised concerns about the harmful impact of misinformation. 'The Indian pharmaceutical industry is a knowledge-driven sector and plays a vital role in global health. India accounts for 60 per cent of global vaccine production. These vaccines have been well documented and rigorously tested as per regulatory processes,' he said. 'Misinformation and distortion of facts endanger public health and undermine the trust built on science and patient care globally.' Private Hospitals, Key Vaccination Partners, Maintain Silence as Questions Mount Despite these strong assurances, prominent private hospitals and top medical experts associated with them have largely refrained from commenting on the rising concerns related to post-vaccination adverse events . ETHealthworld reached out to several hospital networks involved in mass immunization, but most declined to comment or said they had no official position at this time. This silence is puzzling. These institutions were once highly vocal during the vaccine rollout, actively conducting drives, issuing FAQs, and promoting vaccine awareness. Their muted response today, amid public anxiety, is being seen as a missed opportunity to educate and reassure. 'We're not blaming hospitals,' said a senior public health expert, 'but their absence in this conversation is noticeable. If the data supports vaccine safety—as government and pharma leaders insist—then trusted medical institutions should lead from the front, explaining how adverse events are monitored and managed. Silence only deepens doubt.' Experts say the role of private hospitals is critical not just in vaccine delivery, but in reinforcing public trust. With vaccine hesitancy rising globally, communication gaps—especially from frontline players—risk allowing misinformation to fill the void. Why Transparency Now Matters More Than Ever? In an age where misinformation travels faster than facts, silence can be dangerous. Transparency—even when dealing with rare or uncomfortable adverse events—is essential to preserving long-term confidence in scientific interventions. India's COVID-19 vaccination program has been widely praised for its scale and speed. But success in public health doesn't end with delivery—it continues through open dialogue, education, and the courage to confront evolving narratives head-on. As the debate around vaccine safety intensifies, it is essential that all stakeholders—government bodies, pharmaceutical leaders, and healthcare institutions—participate in a unified, fact-based public conversation. Rebuilding and reinforcing public trust isn't just a policy goal. It's a shared responsibility.
