-By ArdorComm News Network
May 2, 2024
The Union health ministry has recently made a significant alteration to Covid-19 vaccination certificates issued through CoWIN, removing the image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Previously, these certificates prominently featured PM Modi’s image alongside a quote affirming India’s collective resolve to combat the coronavirus pandemic. While the quote remains intact, PM Modi’s name has been omitted, and his image has been replaced by a QR code.
This change has caught the attention of many citizens, particularly on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter). Users have observed the absence of PM Modi’s photograph on the updated vaccination certificates, sparking discussions and speculation regarding the reasons behind this alteration.
Health ministry officials have clarified that the removal of PM Modi’s image from the vaccination certificates is due to the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) currently in place for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. This move aligns with past instances where PM Modi’s photograph was removed from vaccination certificates issued during state assembly elections in 2022.
The controversy surrounding Covishield, AstraZeneca’s vaccine manufactured in partnership with the Serum Institute of India, has also resurfaced following discussions about its potential association with Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS), a rare side effect involving blood clotting. The opposition Congress has demanded compensation for the relatives of individuals who died due to heart attacks or similar reasons after receiving the Covishield vaccine, alleging that the BJP government at the Centre did not adhere to WHO guidelines.
Despite these concerns, doctors associated with the Gujarat BJP have emphasized that a study conducted by an expert panel in the state found no direct link between Covid-19 vaccines and blood clotting leading to heart attacks.
As discussions around Covid-19 vaccines continue, the removal of PM Modi’s photo from vaccination certificates adds another layer to the ongoing dialogue surrounding vaccine distribution and public health policies in India.