New study reveals adverse events in some covaxin recipients
New Delhi: A recent study conducted by Sankha Shubhra Chakrabarti and his team at Banaras Hindu University has shed light on adverse events observed in participants who received Covaxin, Bharat Biotech's COVID-19 vaccine.
The study involved 1,024 individuals, comprising 635 adolescents and 291 adults, who were followed up for one year after receiving Covaxin.
Nearly a third of the participants reported adverse events of special interest (AESI) during the observation period. These included viral upper respiratory tract infections, new-onset skin and subcutaneous disorders, general disorders, nervous system disorders, menstrual abnormalities in females, ocular abnormalities, and hypothyroidism.
The study identified several risk factors associated with AESI. Female adolescents and individuals with a history of allergies were found to be at higher risk. Additionally, participants with pre-vaccination COVID-19, comorbidities, and post-vaccination typhoid were also identified as having increased risk.
A significant number of AESIs persisted even at the 1-year follow-up. Female individuals, adolescents with pre-vaccination COVID-19, those with comorbidities, and those with post-vaccination typhoid had higher odds of persistent AESIs.
Among serious adverse events, stroke and Guillain-Barre Syndrome were identified in a small percentage of participants.
The study highlights the importance of extended surveillance of COVID-19 vaccinated individuals to understand the course and outcomes of late-onset adverse events. Focused monitoring for persistent AESIs is recommended, especially for individuals with certain risk factors.
The findings suggest that the patterns of adverse events observed with Covaxin differ from those reported with other COVID-19 vaccines. Understanding these patterns is crucial for effective post-vaccination monitoring and management of potential risks.
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Ordinance issued to increase number of Supreme Court judges from 34 to 38
New Delhi (PTI): The government has promulgated an ordinance to increase the strength of the Supreme Court from the present 34 judges to 38, including the Chief Justice of India.
The law ministry notified the ordinance on Saturday, which amended the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, to increase the sanctioned strength of the top court.
So far, the sanctioned strength of the top court was 34, including the Chief Justice of India (CJI). Now, the number of judges has been increased by four, taking the sanctioned strength to 38.
The top court will now have 37 judges, other than the CJI.
With the apex court having two vacancies at present, and the ordinance coming into force immediately, the Supreme Court Collegium will now have to recommend six names for appointment as judges in the top court.
A bill will be brought in the Monsoon Session of Parliament to convert the ordinance – an executive order – into a law passed by Parliament.
The Union Cabinet had cleared a draft bill on May 5 to increase the number of apex court judges.
The strength of the Supreme Court was last increased from 30 to 33 (excluding the CJI) in 2019.
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, as originally enacted in 1956, put the maximum number of judges (excluding the CJI) at 10.
This number was increased to 13 by the Supreme Court (Number of Judges), Amendment Act, 1960, and to 17 by another amendment to the law.
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Act, 1986, augmented the strength of judges from 17 to 25, excluding the CJI.
A fresh amendment in 2009 further increased the strength from 25 to 30.
Article 124(3) of the Constitution lists the qualifications required to become a Supreme Court judge.
An Indian citizen who has either served as a high court judge for at least five years, or as an advocate for 10 years, or is a distinguished jurist, can be appointed to the top court.
The strength of the Supreme Court is increased based on the recommendations of the CJI, who writes to the Union law minister. After consulting the finance ministry, the Department of Justice under the law ministry moves the Cabinet with a draft bill.
