A city-based 40-year-old business consultant, who was a volunteer for the Covid shield vaccine that is under development at the Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII), has sought Rs 5 crore compensation for the neurological complications he developed after being administered the test dose, said an advocate.

In a legal notice to Serum Institute of India (SII) and others he has sought a compensation of Rs 5 crores. He also sought cancelling approval for its testing, 'manufacture and distribution', failing which legal action would be taken.

The legal notice has been sent to Pune based Serum Institute of India, which has collaborated with Oxford University and Astra Zeneca, a pharmaceutical company, in connection with the making of the vaccine, 'Covishield'. The man from Tamil Nadu has sought a compensation of Rs 5 crores.

The notice was issued on November 21 and till now we have not received any reply from any of the parties to whom the notice was sent.

On October 1, he was administered the vaccine. Though there were no side effects for the first 10 days, he subsequently had episodes like severe headache and vomiting. A doctor suggested investigations like a CT-scan as the man was oblivious of what was happening around him and could not respond to questions.

Detailing the sequence of events since October 11 when he was admitted to the Ramachandra Hospital and as narrated by the man's wife, the notice said he showed behavioural changes.

Source: businessinsider.in, zeenews.india.com