New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India has issued a significant directive regarding the side effects of COVID-19 vaccines. The court stated that individuals who have suffered harm due to the vaccine should be provided compensation. It directed the authorities to formulate a comprehensive compensation policy for people affected by adverse reactions to the vaccine.
Focus on Transparency and Monitoring
During the hearing, a bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta emphasized the importance of strengthening the existing system that monitors Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI).
The court said the current monitoring mechanism should not only continue but also be further strengthened. It also stressed that data related to vaccine side effects must be periodically made public, ensuring transparency and keeping citizens informed.
Demand for Independent Expert Committee Rejected
However, the Supreme Court declined the petitioners’ request to establish a separate independent expert committee to investigate vaccine side effects.
The court observed that the central government already has a well-structured monitoring framework in place to track and evaluate vaccine-related adverse events. Therefore, creating a new committee was not considered necessary.
The court clarified that the purpose of introducing a compensation policy is to support individuals who may have experienced unexpected and serious health complications during the nationwide vaccination campaign, which was carried out in the interest of public health.
