Sanjani Sanghi among Indian celebrities in new vaccine myth-busting video

Rumours of microchips, turning into zombies and growing another limb are debunked

Indian celebrities including R. Balki and Mini Mathur have appeared in a video to debunk myths surrounding Covid-19 vaccines.

In a bid to challenge vaccine hesitancy, filmmaker R.Balki, actresses Mini Mathur and Sanjana Sanghi and social media influencer Ranveer Allahbadia took part in a panel to ask India's leading cardiovascular surgeon Dr Naresh Trehan a range of questions.

India has increased its immunisation efforts in recent weeks and has temporarily blocked exports of the AstraZeneca coronavirus shot made by the Serum Institute of India in a bid to tackle a steep rise in infections.
More than 44 million people have received a first does of the vaccine in India since the first one was administered in January.

"We do not know what's more dangerous, us getting Covid or getting the Covid vaccine that has not been around that long," Ms Sanghi said.

Mr Allahbadia admitted he believed the internet narrative that it could "turn everyone into zombies".

He went further and asked Dr Trehan whether it was true people were being embedded with microchips hidden in the vaccines.

"You have been watching too many sci-fi movies," Dr Trehan replied.

Mr Balki said he had doubts about the vaccines' safety and asked whether enough people have been tested.

Dr Trehan explained there are four phases in all drug testing to establish safety, and said the techniques that have used are "tried and tested" methods.

Ms Sanghi asked why she is not allowed to choose which vaccine she has.

"It will happen when more vaccines come on the market," Dr Trehan answered.

"I have learnt so much more about the vaccine now," Ms Mathur said.

The video was created by Natasha Mudhar, founder of British campaign group The World We Want. She has been working with India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to address vaccine hesitancy.