Tomorrow: South Giza Court to Hear Compensation Lawsuit Against AstraZeneca
The South Giza Primary Court is set to review a lawsuit tomorrow, Thursday, December 19, 2024, filed by the Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights (Case No. 7208 of 2024). The case targets 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 lawsuit seeks EGP 3 million in compensation for an Egyptian citizen who allegedly experienced severe side effects from AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine.
The plaintiff, a 44-year-old security supervisor, was reportedly in good health before receiving the first dose of the vaccine in December 2021, in compliance with government-mandated vaccination policies. Less than a month later, he suffered a coronary artery thrombosis, requiring angioplasty and a cardiac stent. After receiving the second dose in February 2022, his condition worsened, marked by recurring angina and additional cardiac procedures.
The lawsuit cites AstraZeneca’s admission that its vaccine may, in rare cases, cause Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS), a life-threatening condition involving blood clots. Documents presented by AstraZeneca to a British court in February 2024 reportedly reveal the company’s prior knowledge of these risks, raising concerns over its legal and ethical obligations.
The Egyptian Center asserts that the plaintiff was not adequately informed of the vaccine’s potential side effects and was vaccinated under coercive government policies. The lawsuit holds AstraZeneca and the government jointly liable for the plaintiff’s harm.
Drawing comparisons with global cases, the lawsuit references compensation claims from countries such as the UK, Australia, and Morocco, where thousands have sought legal remedies for vaccine-related injuries. It further invokes Article 163 of the Egyptian Civil Code, which mandates compensation for harm caused by negligence, urging the court to grant adequate redress for the plaintiff’s physical, psychological, and financial suffering.
Recently, AstraZeneca announced plans to withdraw its COVID-19 vaccine from global markets following media reports revealing its acknowledgment in legal documents of serious side effects, including blood clots and reduced platelet counts within two months of vaccination.
This announcement coincides with a class-action lawsuit in the UK, where families are seeking significant compensation for severe complications or deaths allegedly caused by the vaccine. These developments represent a rare acknowledgment by AstraZeneca of potential risks associated with its vaccine, sparking global debate on corporate accountability and vaccine safety.
