Home / Health / Supreme Court Pushes for Vaccine Injury Policy
Supreme Court Pushes for Vaccine Injury Policy
12 Mar
Summary
- Supreme Court orders no-fault compensation for vaccine side effects.
- Two families sought justice after daughters died from Covishield.
- Court mandates continued monitoring and public data on adverse events.
A landmark Supreme Court judgment on March 10, 2026, has directed the Indian government to establish a no-fault compensation policy for individuals experiencing severe adverse effects from COVID-19 vaccinations. This decision was influenced by the cases of two young women, Karunya and Rithaika Sri, whose deaths were linked to the Covishield vaccine.
Karunya, a 20-year-old student, developed acute side effects including airway swelling and leg pain within ten days of receiving the vaccine on June 8, 2021. Despite medical assurances, she passed away on July 10, 2021. Similarly, 18-year-old Rithaika Sri suffered from severe headaches and blood clots after her May 29, 2021, vaccination, ultimately dying of Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis three weeks later.
The Supreme Court also reinforced the need for ongoing monitoring of adverse events following immunization (AEFI). It mandated that data collected through existing surveillance mechanisms be regularly published in the public domain, as previously ordered in May 2022. This ensures transparency and allows victims to seek compensation without the burden of proving negligence or liability.
