Fact Check: Bharat Biotech Vice-President Dr V.K. Srinivas takes the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine

A sense of anxiety and curiosity has prevailed among the general public ever since  (ICMR) and Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL) revealed that an indigenous anti-Covid vaccine called “Covaxin” by August 15 for the public. Meanwhile, a picture of a woman in medical gear thrusting a syringe in a man’s veins is circulating on social media with the claim that the first dose of the vaccine was administered on BBIL vice president VK Srinivas as part of human trial.

A number of social media users posted the image with the caption, “Dr V. K.Srinivas,Vice President, Bharat biotech, taking Corona vaccine... Clinical trial immediately after taking the first dose he said that he is the first person in India to take vaccine developed by him and his team in Bharat Biotech Look at the confidence that they have in their product.”Soon after the image went viral, Bharat Biotech tweeted, refuting the claim. Part of its rebuttal says, “Certain images and messages being circulated on WhatsApp and other social media platforms have NOT been disseminated by Bharat Biotech. The image being circulated is a routine procedural blood draw for testing all production staff.”

Dr V. K.Srinivas , Vice President, Bharat biotech, taking Corona vaccine clinical trial

After taking the first dose that he said he is the first person in India to take vaccine developed by his team in Bharat Biotech.

Look at the confidence that they have in their product. pic.twitter.com/erNdwtjByy

— Ravi Vallabhaneni (@ravivallabha) July 3, 2020