3 minutes of readingMarch 13, 2026 02:40 pm IST
A UK-based cardiologist, who has publicly questioned the safety profile of mRNA vaccines against Covid-19, said he is now fighting to retain his medical license while the country’s medical regulator examines complaints against him.
In an article published in The telegraph On March 12, cardiologist Aseem Malhotra said the General Medical Council (GMC) is reviewing allegations that his public comments on Covid vaccines may have undermined confidence in vaccination and the medical profession.
Malhotra wrote that the case relates to his scrutiny of Covid-19 vaccine data and his public statements raising safety concerns about mRNA vaccines. According to him, complaints were made to the GMC and the Royal College of Physicians, which he said had previously suspended his fellowship following allegations that his comments had brought the institution into disrepute.
“The allegation is that by examining the data and raising legitimate questions in public… I have undermined confidence in vaccination,” Malhotra wrote, adding that the regulator is now considering whether to take formal action.
Debate over vaccine safety claims
Malhotra has been an outspoken critic of aspects of Covid-19 vaccination policy since 2021, arguing that emerging data raised questions about the risk-benefit profile of mRNA vaccines. In the article, he cited studies and analyzes that he said pointed to possible safety signals, including reports of markers of inflammation and cardiovascular problems after vaccination.
He said he compiled his analysis in a two-part paper published in 2022 in the Journal of Insulin Resistance.
However, public health authorities in many countries have consistently maintained that Covid-19 vaccines remain safe and effective, and that the benefits of vaccination outweigh the potential risks.
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Personal loss and activism
Malhotra wrote that her concerns intensified following the sudden death of her father, Dr. Kailash Chand, in 2021 following cardiac arrest. A post-mortem examination, he said, found severe coronary artery disease that had progressed rapidly.
He said that while he initially rejected any suggestion of a link between the vaccines, subsequent data led him to reexamine the safety profile of the vaccines.
Wider controversy
Malhotra’s views have drawn criticism from many doctors and researchers who say such claims risk fueling vaccine hesitancy.
Controversy also increased after his appearances on major podcasts and political events, including a speech at the Reform UK conference in 2025, where his comments sparked further criticism from some medical professionals.
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The GMC has not publicly detailed the specific allegations in the case and it is not yet clear whether formal disciplinary proceedings will be launched.
Malhotra said he believes the issue goes beyond his personal case and concerns the ability of doctors to question medical evidence without facing professional repercussions.
