I did not want to get into the #Bhopal #COVAXIN controversy. I was holding back.

But after seeing the response from some "health reporters", I had to come out and say it:

DON'T TURN YOUR JOURNALISM INTO ACTIVISM.

There's a fine line between demanding accountability from the Govt / Bharat Biotech and eroding the trust of the people in the vaccine.

To all those journos: You are crossing that line.

Yes. Go ahead and ask questions about why the approval was given. Ask why IC was not taken in Bhopal. Ask why the poor 45 yr old man died.

But do it with sensitivity.

Your smear campaign against Bharat Biotech, (which incidentally started only after the approval) might get you all the answers you want but it'll hamper India's vaccination drive big time.

What is more important?

Answers from the govt/BB?

or

Getting India's population vaccinated with the minimal possible opposition?

Please, if you journos have a heart, look at the larger picture.

This doesn't mean I am condoning the procedural flaws. It doesn't mean that the Govt or BB or any other company can be allowed to repeat this in the future. No.

I want those same answers as you do.

But my Priority is to see the vaccination programme get underway.

With all the misinformation and mistrust going around,

With all the efforts put in by all the HCWs around India,

With the efforts put in by our scientists in developing vaccines,

If India fails to vaccinate a majority of the population,

I know who I'll hold responsible.

End.

@Shivamda @IsoMedSTU2 @thatswtDansaid @bijlanirajesh @amitsurg @JoeAgneya @AishwaryaMudgi1 @DrDeepakKrishn1 @ProfSomashekhar @dr_ajit777 @krithikasivasw @spinesurgeon

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