Serum Institute of India prepares Rs 100 crore defamation suit against Covid vaccine trial volunteer

The Serum Institute of India, which is testing and manufacturing Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, tonight responded to "malicious and misconceived" allegations by preparing a Rs 100 crore defamation suit against a 40-year-old coronavirus vaccine trial participant who claimed to have suffered a "virtual neurological breakdown" after being administered a dose.

In a statement, the SII said that while it sympathised with the volunteer's medical condition, there was "absolutely no correlation with the vaccine trial and the medical condition of the volunteer".

"The allegations in the notice are malicious and misconceived. While the Serum Institute of India is sympathetic with the volunteer's medical condition, there is absolutely no correlation with the vaccine trial and the medical condition of the volunteer. The volunteer is falsely laying the blame for his medical problems on the COVID vaccine trial," the statement by the SII said

"The claim is malicious because the volunteer was specifically informed by the medical team that the complications he suffered were independent of the vaccine trial he underwent. In spite of specifically being made aware of the same, he still chose to go public and malign the reputation of the company," the SII statement added.

The Serum Institute said it would seek damages in excess of ₹ 100 crore and would continue to defend itself from all such malicious claims.

The Institute's reaction came after the man sought Rs five crore compensation in a legal notice to the Pune-based company and sought a halt to the trial of the vaccine.

Read More: Covid vaccine trial volunteer sends legal notice to Serum Institute of India over 'serious side effects'