Fact-Check: COVID-19 and Neurological Risks: Debunking misleading media claims & highlighting India’s safety measures

NEW DELHI: Recent claims published by Dainik Bhaskar, suggesting that the Government of India has admitted that COVID-19 vaccines cause paralysis and other neurological disorders, have sparked concern and confusion among readers. These assertions, amplified through social media and other channels, are based on a misinterpretation of an official communication involving the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). A closer examination of the facts reveals that these claims are misleading, baseless, and unsupported by scientific evidence.

An article by @DainikBhaskar claims that the Government of India has admitted that COVID-19 vaccines pose a risk of paralysis and other neurological disorders.

The newspaper has made this claim on the basis of a letter from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation… pic.twitter.com/2FXg3RrgVE

— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) December 12, 2025

The controversy stems from a letter regarding updates to the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) for two widely used COVID-19 vaccines in India, Covishield and Covaxin. The SmPC is a technical document that provides detailed information for healthcare professionals, including known side effects, contraindications, and precautions. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare periodically updates these documents as part of routine regulatory and pharmacovigilance practices.

Contrary to the newspaper’s interpretation, the inclusion of “rare” and “very rare” adverse events in vaccine information leaflets does not mean that the government has acknowledged a causal link between COVID-19 vaccines and neurological disorders such as paralysis. Instead, this is a standard global practice aimed at transparency. Regulatory authorities worldwide require manufacturers to list all adverse events reported during clinical trials or post-marketing surveillance, even when a direct causal relationship has not been established.

Such disclosures help healthcare providers and recipients make informed decisions and allow scientists to continue monitoring vaccine safety. Importantly, listing a condition as a “rare” or “very rare” observation means that it has been reported infrequently and does not imply that vaccines significantly increase the risk of that condition.

The Press Information Bureau’s Fact Check unit has categorically stated that the claims made in the article are misleading and unsupported by scientific evidence. There is no evidence indicating an increase in neurological disorders attributable to COVID-19 vaccination in India. Large-scale data collected during the vaccination campaign does not show any unusual or alarming trends related to paralysis or similar conditions.

During the COVID-19 vaccination drive, India significantly strengthened its Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) surveillance system. This system ensured that every reported adverse event, minor or serious, was thoroughly investigated. Expert committees at the district, state, and national levels examined these cases to determine whether there was any causal association with vaccination. The overwhelming majority of reported events were found to be coincidental or related to pre-existing conditions rather than vaccine-induced.

India’s vaccine safety monitoring framework has also received international recognition. In 2024, the World Health Organisation assessed India’s vaccine safety regulatory system and rated it at Maturity Level 3. This rating signifies that the country’s regulatory processes are robust, well-functioning, and aligned with global standards. Such an assessment would not be possible if systemic safety concerns were being ignored or suppressed.

Misinformation around vaccines can have serious public health consequences. Misleading reports risk eroding public trust, increasing vaccine hesitancy, and undermining the progress made in controlling infectious diseases. Responsible reporting requires careful interpretation of scientific and regulatory documents, especially on sensitive issues like public health.

The claim that the Government of India has admitted COVID-19 vaccines cause paralysis or neurological disorders is false. The facts have been twisted through the incorrect interpretation of routine regulatory updates. COVID-19 vaccines used in India have undergone rigorous evaluation, continuous monitoring, and international scrutiny.