An Indian man who helped test a coronavirus jab based on AstraZeneca’s candidate vaccine has filed suit, claiming that he suffered extreme side effects during his participation in the trial.
The plaintiff, identified in media reports as a 40-year-old man from Chennai, is suing the Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII) for Rs 5 crore ($676,000 USD). The individual alleges that he suffered serious neurological damage after taking part in the phase three trial of Covishield, the SII’s version of the Covid-19 jab being developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford. The man was purportedly told that the vaccine was safe and chose to participate in the program in “the spirit of public service.”
The lawsuit also demands that SII, AstraZeneca and the Oxford Vaccine Group immediately halt vaccine trials, in which some 1,600 volunteers are currently enrolled.
Ten days after receiving the shot, the man complained of a pounding headache and experienced vomiting, his wife told local media. He was bedridden and acting abnormally before being transferred to the emergency ward of the Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Hospital. A review by the hospital concluded that the medical problems were not linked to the vaccine, and a medical official cited by Indian media claimed that the patient was “now alright” and had not incurred any expenses stemming from the health episode.
The man’s discharge summary said he requested to leave the hospital and was recovering from “acute encephalopathy”. He also suffered from deficiencies of Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D, and was suspected of having a “connective tissue disorder.”
However, the man’s wife insists that he has not fully recovered and is unable to work as before.
In September, SII briefly paused its clinical trials of Covishield after a recipient of the AstraZeneca jab showed adverse symptoms.
India has faced criticism for not being more transparent about its Covid-19 vaccine trials. According to Science Magazine, SII is not using the same phase three testing protocol implemented by AstraZeneca, and has also declined to make its guidelines public.
Discussing her family life in a new interview with Australia’s Stellar magazine, Hathaway revealed what it’s been like parenting during the pandemic.
Asked what her biggest challenge was during lockdown, the Devil Wears Prada star joked: ‘During the lockdown? Can I curse? The f**king laundry?’
She continued: ‘You know, I’m always hesitant to frame things in the realms of challenges because I think it sets a tone. As a mum, I’ve found tons of opportunities. There’s obviously a learning curve.’
Hathaway explained that she thinks being a mum is ‘more than just a challenge’, as she stressed the importance of parents ‘being kind’ to themselves.
The actress shares two children with husband Adam (Picture: Getty)
‘You just have to be kind to yourself with that, because you do feel like you’re doing everything wrong, especially in the early days,’ she admitted.
Revealing what the pandemic has taught her, Hathaway mused: ‘The way we live and love is what we’ll be remembered by.’
She also touched on her new movie The Witches, where she plays the Grand High Witch and while she thinks her character looks ‘terrifying’ on screen, Hathaway said she purposely made her as funny as she could so children would realise they can ‘laugh at evil’.
It’s a movie adaptation of the Roald Dahl classic and following its release, Warner Bros was forced to apologise after the film caused upset.
Hathaway stars in new movie The Witches (Picture: Warner Bros)
The movie faced backlash for its depiction of disability, as the witches are missing fingers – with viewers likening their appearance to ectrodactyly, a congenital disorder which involves the deficiency or absence of one or more central digits on the hand or foot.
The Witches was accused of reinforcing the stigma around disability and portraying it as ‘something scary’, with Warner Bros stating they ‘regret any offence caused’.
In a statement to Metro.co.uk, a spokesperson for Warner Bros said: ‘We the filmmakers and Warner Bros. Pictures are deeply saddened to learn that our depiction of the fictional characters in The Witches could upset people with disabilities, and regret any offence caused.
‘In adapting the original story, we worked with designers and artists to come up with a new interpretation of the cat-like claws that are described in the book. It was never the intention for viewers to feel that the fantastical, non-human creatures were meant to represent them.
‘This film is about the power of kindness and friendship. It is our hope that families and children can enjoy the film and embrace this empowering, love-filled theme.’
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He explained on Instagram that the pair simply choose to keep their family life just that – private.
The dad-of-two replied: ‘Pictures of our family life are all labelled nicely on an iPad or in Apple photo books for us to share, as a family. No need to invite the world into our home life, some do, but it’s not for us.
‘We are 💯 Thanks for asking.’
I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! continues tonight at 9pm on ITV.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking for some Premier League consistency (Picture: Getty Images)
Manchester United travel to Southampton on Sunday afternoon as they look to climb into the top half of the Premier League table after an inconsistent start to the season.
The Red Devils are 13th in the table going into the contest, with victory over West Brom last weekend setting them back on the right course after difficult results.
Southampton are enjoying a more impressive campaign so far, sitting fifth in the table and can climb to third with victory.
When is Southampton vs Man Utd?
The match kicks-off at 2pm on Sunday 29 November at St Mary’s.
What TV channel is Southampton vs Man Utd on and is there a live stream?
Subscribers can stream the action on Sky Go or on the Sky Sports app, while non-subscribers can get a Sky Sports Pass from Now TV.
Southampton vs Man Utd team news
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is unlikely to have Paul Pogba, Eric Bailly or Scott McTominay available, although they haven’t been completely ruled out.
Marcus Rashford, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Victor Lindelof are all pushing for returns, but Luke Shaw remains out.
Danny Ings and Nathan Redmond are still missing for Southampton.
Southampton vs Man Utd odds
11/4 Southampton 11/4 Draw EVS Man Utd
Odds courtesy of Betfair
Southampton vs Man Utd head-to-head in last five meetings
13 Jul 2020: Man Utd 2-2 Southampton – Premier League 31 Aug 2019: Southampton 1-1 Man Utd – Premier League 02 Mar 2019: Man Utd 3-2 Southampton – Premier League 01 Dec 2018: Southampton 2-2 Man Utd – Premier League 30 Dec 2017: Man Utd 0-0 Southampton – Premier League
Bikes make up just 1.75 per cent of total traffic on roads – including in Bradford, Brighton and Bristol – which lost a carriageway to a cycle-friendly route, new research has shown.
The Duchess of Cambridge, 38, sported a Gucci blouse a clip released by Kensington Palace, which she was first pictured wearing during a trip to a London children’s centre in 2019.
