Coronavirus vaccine Covaxin trials are being conducted on victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy without their consent or knowledge. The vaccine Covaxin is developed by Bharat Biotech and is in its Phase-3 trial at the People’s University in Bhopal.
Social activist Rachna Dhingra claims that the People’s University gathered the poor people of gas affected communities with a promise of Rs. 750 for the vaccination trial.
She posted on twitter that “most of the victims were told that they are being given the vaccine to stop COVID-19 and not that they are part of Phase-3 trial. None of them have received the reports of their blood & PCR samples”.
3rd Phase #Covaxine trial taking place in Bhopal hasviolated every rule in d book
Poor & vulnerable residents of gas
affected communities r herded by d People’s 🏥 with a promise of Rs750. No copy of informed consent is being given 2 d participants @CDSCO_INDIA_INF pic.twitter.com/dsb9u8L77T— Rachna Dhingra (@RachnaDhingra) January 3, 2021
She also shared an image of the vaccine trial form on twitter.
If participants really consented 2 trial as @Uni_Peoples claims then do explain that how a participant who was enrolled in d study on 7Dec but gave his consent after receiving d second dose on 4Jan. @CDSCO_INDIA_INF @BharatBiotech
Pl ensure that this participant is not harrased https://t.co/MUzSJnsp9Q pic.twitter.com/pFQbIAmT9N— Rachna Dhingra (@RachnaDhingra) January 5, 2021
Rachna Dhingra shared a video of a man who received the vaccine in the trials and said that “When a participant experiences an adverse event, the hospital prescribes medicines & investigations where the participant is expected to foot the bill. Things can’t get any worse than this”.
When a participant experiences an adverse event they call up d hospital who asks them to come in and then they r prescribed medicines & investigations where the participant is expected to foot the bill. Things cannot get any worse than this. @CDSCO_INDIA_INF pic.twitter.com/AXqOestmXM
— Rachna Dhingra (@RachnaDhingra) January 3, 2021
In response, the People’s University posted a tweet saying “This is misleading! All the participants were duly counseled for min. 30 minutes before their consent was sought on both dosage schedules”.
@RachnaDhingra this is misleading! All the participants were duly counseled for min. 30 minutes before their consent was sought on both dosage schedules. As per clinical trial protocol, volunteer info is confidential and can’t be shared in public. @CDSCO_INDIA_INF @BharatBiotech
— People’s University Bhopal (@Uni_Peoples) January 5, 2021
Many people praised Rachna Dhingra for her efforts. Saffron Bros, a social media user tweeted “Hi Rachna, I must applaud your efforts, working for the ones no one wants to even think about. You have my utmost respect”.
