Argentina Faces Growing Number of Lawsuits Alleging Vaccine-Related Illnesses
A series of lawsuits have been filed in Argentina alleging adverse health effects following COVID-19 vaccinations, with two prominent cases in Córdoba province highlighting concerns about specific vaccine brands and potential neurological and autoimmune conditions.
The first individual plaintiff in Argentina was Flavia Ochoa, who filed a lawsuit in the federal courts of Río Cuarto.Ochoa, 40, a mother of a six-year-old, along with her partner, is seeking 100 million Argentine pesos.She reported experiencing “strong cramps and lazy legs” shortly after receiving AstraZeneca as her third vaccine dose. Subsequent medical evaluations diagnosed her with Guillain-Barré syndrome with quadriparesis. This case has reportedly already involved expert testimony in the Supreme Court.
Another lawsuit filed in Córdoba province targets the same laboratory, AstraZeneca. This case was brought by a nurse seeking 220 million Argentine pesos, alleging that the vaccine caused her Sjogren’s syndrome and thrombocytopenic purpura syndrome. Her vaccination history includes a first dose of Sinopharm on March 5, 2021, a second Sinopharm dose on April 19, 2021, and a third AstraZeneca dose on November 4, 2021.
When contacted by La Nación, AstraZeneca consistently stated that they do not comment on ongoing litigation. However, the company has previously issued statements affirming their commitment to patient safety and the rigorous standards set by regulatory authorities. AstraZeneca has maintained that clinical trial data has consistently demonstrated an acceptable safety profile for their vaccine, and that regulatory bodies confirm the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks of extremely rare side effects.