Misleading: Deepak Marawi died in Bhopal after participating in the Covaxin trial.

By: Ranjini K
January 15 2021

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The autopsy report of Deepak Marawi shows that poisoning as the probable cause of death. Covaxin is a two-dose vaccine, and he only received one dose.Phase III human trial of Covaxin manufactured from Bharat Biotech was held in People's Medical College in Bhopal on December 12, 2021. Deepak Marawi, a 45-year-old daily-wage worker, was one of the volunteers who were enrolled for the vaccine trial. Marawi died at Bhopal's People's College of Medical Sciences and Research Centre on December 21, 2021. Dean of People's Hospital, A K Dixit, told the Indian Express that "Marawi was given follow-up calls for seven days during which he did not complain of any complications after the first dose was administered to him. All procedures were appropriately followed." Moreover, the list of candidates who received the vaccine and who received the placebo is not made public. Whether Marawi received the vaccine or the placebo during the trial is unknown. "The volunteer, at the time of enrolment, had fulfilled all the inclusion and exclusion criteria to be accepted as a participant in the Phase III trial. The serious adverse reaction had been thoroughly investigated and was found not related to vaccine or placebo," Bharat Biotech said. According to Hindustan Times, a post-mortem report issued by the Gandhi Medical College concludes that the probable cause of death of Marawi was a cardiorespiratory failure due to poisoning. The claim implies that Marawi died because of some complications with the vaccination after he participated in the Covaxin trial. However, we conclude that the claim is misleading because we do not know whether he was administered the vaccine or the placebo, and his post-mortem shows poisoning as a probable cause of death. The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a lot of potentially dangerous misinformation. For reliable advice on COVID-19 including symptoms, prevention and available treatment, please refer to the World Health Organisation or your national healthcare authority.