Bengaluru, July 5 -- A social media spat between chief minister Siddaramaiah and Biocon Executive chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw has brought renewed attention to the safety of COVID-19 vaccines and their possible long-term side effects. The exchange follows mounting concerns in Hassan district, where a spike in sudden heart-related deaths has raised public alarm.

The chief minister's initial remarks on July 1 questioned whether the deaths could be connected to the fast-tracked rollout of vaccines during the pandemic. While acknowledging that the vaccines were introduced under extraordinary global circumstances, Siddaramaiah suggested that the speed of approval may have overlooked long-term effects.

"It cannot be denied that the hasty a...