3 May 2024: In response to revelations by AstraZeneca regarding potential side effects of its COVID-19 vaccine, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s photo has been conspicuously removed from the CoWIN certificates issued for COVID-19 vaccinations. This decision follows AstraZeneca’s admission in court that its vaccine can lead to low platelet count and blood clot-related complications.
Traditionally, these vaccination certificates, issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, prominently featured PM Modi’s image alongside a motivational quote, “Together, India will defeat COVID-19.” While the quote remains intact, PM Modi’s name has been omitted, sparking speculation regarding the reason behind this alteration.
Contrary to initial assumptions linking the removal of PM Modi’s image to concerns over the AstraZeneca vaccine’s side effects, it has been clarified that the decision was made in compliance with the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Instances of PM Modi’s photo being taken down during state assembly elections have been observed in recent years, reflecting a consistent practice during periods governed by the MCC.
The use of PM Modi’s photo on vaccine certificates has been a subject of inquiry, prompting questions about its necessity. In August 2021, then Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Bharati Pravin Pawar, elucidated that the inclusion of the Prime Minister’s photograph, accompanied by a message, serves to reinforce awareness about adhering to COVID-19 appropriate behavior even after vaccination, in the broader interest of public health.
Notably, India stands alone in employing its leader’s image on vaccine certificates, distinguishing itself from other nations. The decision to remove PM Modi’s photo from the certificates underscores the intersection of public health concerns, political protocol, and administrative practices in the context of the ongoing pandemic.
And of course, we can’t help but wonder, is this all because of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections?
