Wild hoax about covishield side effects; 'Nothing to worry', say experts

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Health expert Dr B. Iqbal set aside all the concerns emanating from the disclosure of drug company AstraZeneca regarding the side effects of Covishield. The vaccine Covishield, marketed by AstraZeneca, was developed by Oxford University.

Basic research on the vaccine was led by Sarah Catherine Gilbert, professor of vaccinology at Oxford University's Jenner Institute. This made Dr B Iqbal critique AstraZeneca’s dubious qualification to comment on the vaccine and said the company was just funding the field trial.

The Drug Controller General of India and the World Health Organization have found the side effects of Covishield to be rare. All medicines, including vaccines, may have rare side effects and it is pretty normal.

Blood clots can occur as part of the post-covid condition (thromboembolism). It is mostly seen in elderly people with diabetes and high blood pressure.

Despite millions of lives saved by vaccines, a cult is still at play finding new ways to fearmonger and propagate myths regarding vaccine use. Research is also underway to develop vaccines for infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS.