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Egyptian Court Postpones Compensation Lawsuit Against AstraZeneca to February 6 for Company and Government Defense

The Giza Primary Court has postponed case no. 539 of 2024, brought by the Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights (ECESR) against AstraZeneca’s legal representative, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Health, and the Chairman of the Egyptian Drug Authority, all in their official capacities. The case, initially before the 5th Civil Circuit and now reassigned to the 4th Compensation Circuit, was adjourned until February 6, 2025, to allow for responses from the State Lawsuits Authority and AstraZeneca.

The claim seeks EGP 3 million in damages for a citizen who allegedly suffered severe adverse reactions following administration of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

AstraZeneca has contested the validity of all photocopied documents submitted by the plaintiff, despite original copies being presented for key evidence, including medical tests, cardiac nuclear imaging scans, stress ECG reports, stress test results, prescription records, additional medical reports, cardiovascular evaluations, and a COVID-19 vaccine follow-up card issued by medical authorities.

Disputed documents include a Prime Ministerial decree mandating proof of vaccination for access to government facilities, a copy of the plaintiff’s complaint filed via the government’s portal, the Health Directorate’s response, and medical leave certificates.

The plaintiff, a 44-year-old security supervisor reportedly in good health prior to vaccination, received his first dose of AstraZeneca in December 2021 under government-mandated vaccination policies. Within one month, he allegedly suffered a coronary artery thrombosis, necessitating stent implantation. His health reportedly worsened after the second dose in February 2022, resulting in recurrent angina and additional cardiac procedures.

The ECESR’s legal argument cites AstraZeneca’s admission that its vaccine may induce rare cases of Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS), a potentially fatal condition involving blood clots and platelet deficiency. Court documents from litigation in the United Kingdom allegedly show that AstraZeneca had long been aware of these risks, raising questions of negligence and liability.

The suit contends that the plaintiff was not informed of the vaccine’s risks when complying with mandatory government vaccination orders, thus holding both the company and relevant state bodies jointly liable for his injuries.

The filing references compensation claims in the United Kingdom, Australia, and Morocco, where affected individuals have pursued damages for vaccine-related harm. It further invokes Article 163 of the Egyptian Civil Code, which imposes liability on any party whose fault causes harm to another.

AstraZeneca recently confirmed it will discontinue its COVID-19 vaccine globally. This follows media revelations of admissions in court filings regarding serious side effects, including blood clotting and thrombocytopenia, and the initiation of class-action lawsuits in the UK by families of victims seeking compensation for severe injuries and deaths.

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