Hearing Postponed for Egyptian Center’s Case Against AstraZeneca Over Vaccine Side Effects to January 16

The South Giza Primary Court has postponed the hearing of Case No. 7208 of 2024, filed by the Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights. The lawsuit targets AstraZeneca’s legal representative, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Health, and the Head of the Egyptian Drug Authority, all in their official capacities.
The plaintiff seeks EGP 3 million in compensation for an Egyptian citizen who allegedly suffered fatal side effects from AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine. The case was referred from the 5th Civil Circuit to the 4th Compensation Circuit, with the next session set for January 16, 2025, for notification of referral.
The plaintiff, a 44-year-old security supervisor, reportedly experienced no prior health issues before receiving the first dose of AstraZeneca’s vaccine in December 2021, administered under a government mandate requiring vaccination for specific groups. However, within a month of the first dose, he developed coronary artery thrombosis, necessitating catheterization and a cardiac stent. After receiving the second dose in February 2022, his condition worsened with recurrent angina and further cardiac complications requiring additional medical interventions.
The lawsuit highlights AstraZeneca’s admission that its vaccine can, in rare cases, cause Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS), a severe condition leading to blood clots that may result in death or permanent damage. Legal documents from a UK court, submitted by AstraZeneca in February 2024, reportedly reveal that the company was aware of these potential risks, raising questions about its ethical and legal obligations.
The Egyptian Center asserts that the plaintiff was not informed of the vaccine’s risks and only took it due to mandatory government directives. It argues that this creates shared liability between AstraZeneca and the government entities involved in the vaccination campaign.
The case also references similar legal actions filed globally, including in the UK, Australia, and Morocco, where thousands of claimants have sought compensation for vaccine-related injuries. It invokes Article 163 of the Egyptian Civil Code, which mandates compensation for harm caused by negligence. The plaintiff seeks damages for physical, psychological, and financial suffering.
AstraZeneca recently announced the global withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine following media reports and legal documents admitting the potential for severe side effects, such as blood clots and platelet disorders, occurring within two months of administration.
This decision comes amid a class-action lawsuit in the UK, where families are demanding millions in compensation for injuries and deaths they attribute to alleged “defects” in the vaccine. The move marks a rare acknowledgment by AstraZeneca of potential risks associated with its product.