The alteration comes amidst renewed discussions surrounding the safety of the Covishield vaccine...
Digital Desk: The Union Health Ministry has made a significant alteration to the CoWIN certificates for COVID-19 vaccinations, removing the image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Previously, these certificates prominently featured Modi's image alongside a quote affirming India's collective resolve to overcome the coronavirus. While the quote – “Together, India will defeat COVID-19” – remains attributed to the prime minister, his name has been excluded from the certificates.
The alteration comes amidst renewed discussions surrounding the safety of the Covishield vaccine, manufactured by AstraZeneca, following its potential association with Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS), a rare side effect involving blood clotting.
Social media platforms highlighted the removal of Modi's photograph from the vaccination certificates, with many individuals scrutinizing the change. However, officials from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare clarified that the removal was due to the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) in place for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.
This isn't the first time Modi's photo has been removed from vaccination certificates. In 2022, the Election Commission of India (ECI) directed the omission of his photograph from certificates issued in five states ahead of assembly elections.
The inclusion of Modi's picture on vaccination certificates had previously sparked controversy, with opposition parties accusing the government of disregarding World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. However, doctors associated with the BJP stated that studies found no direct link between COVID-19 vaccines and adverse events like blood clotting leading to heart attacks.
AstraZeneca collaborated with the Serum Institute of India (SII) to manufacture the Covishield vaccine in India. Despite WHO's advisory, concerns were raised about the lack of data collection regarding adverse events following vaccination.
Amid these concerns, the alteration to the CoWIN certificates reflects the government's response to both political and public health considerations amidst the ongoing vaccination efforts and electoral processes.
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