PM Modi's photo from Covid vaccine certificates missing? Health ministry responds

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's photo was spotted missing from the Covid-19 certificates. The matter came to light after several netizens went back to check what vaccine they took following AstraZeneca’s admission in a UK court that its vaccine causes a rare side effect.

In India, its vaccine is sold under the brand name Covishield, and nearly 1.7 billion doses have been administered, as per the government's CoWin data.

Responding to the matter, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare told the Print outlet that Modi's picture was removed from the vaccine certificates due to the Model Code of Conduct being in place in view of the ongoing Lok Sabha polls.

Earlier, the British firm admitted before the High Court in the UK on April 29 that its Covid vaccine can, in very rare cases, cause blood clots and low blood platelet count. The admission came as it is being sued for 100 million pounds in a class action lawsuit over claims that its vaccine caused death and serious injury in 51 cases, reported the Daily Telegraph newspaper.

According to the attorneys, some households faced a "devastating effect" of the vaccination.

"It is admitted that the AZ vaccine can, in very rare cases, cause TTS. The causal mechanism is not known...Further, TTS can also occur in the absence of the AZ vaccine (or any vaccine). Causation in any individual case will be a matter for expert evidence," AstraZeneca said.

AstraZeneca has, however, denied the lawyers' claims that the vaccine is "defective" and its efficacy "vastly overstated".

The firm's admission came in response to one of the complainants, Scott mentioning that he developed a “blood clot and a bleed on his brain”, leaving him with a severe brain impairment.

Also read | AstraZeneca admits its Covid vaccine 'can' cause blood clots