Gaurav Pandhi, who belongs to the digital team of the Congress party, today alleged that Covaxin contains newborn calf serum. He suggested that the government has concealed the fact that was brought out by an RTI query. Contrary to the claim, Covaxin doesn't contain the calf serum.

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Here is what Pandhi wrote in his tweet: "In an RTI response, the Modi Govt has admitted that COVAXIN consists Newborn Calf Serum .....which is a portion of clotted blood obtained from less than 20 days young cow-calves, after slaughtering them. THIS IS HEINOUS! This information should have been made public before."

Several people in the know countered his narrative. Amit Thadhani, a surgeon, said that Pandhi's understanding is illiterate. "Calf serum is used for cell cultures. The vaccine does not contain blood. Using calf serum to improve cell cultures is a common practice across several vaccines, not only Covaxin."

Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has slammed the Modi government for increasing the gap between two doses of Covishield. "India needs quick and complete vaccination, not BJP’s usual brand of lies and rhyming slogans to cover-up vaccine shortage caused by Modi government’s inaction. The Government's constant attempts to save the Prime Minister’s fake image are facilitating the virus and costing people’s lives," Gandhi wrote.