The Supreme Court said Wednesday that the centre’s paid Covid-19 vaccination policy was “arbitrary” and “irrational” for the 18-44 age group.
The Supreme Court said Wednesday that the centre’s paid vaccination policy was “arbitrary” and “irrational” for the 18-44 age group. (Photo: PTI file)
The Supreme Court said Wednesday the paid Covid-19 vaccination policy for the 18-44 age group was “arbitrary and irrational.” The Supreme Court’s remark came days after it said that Vaccine prices should be the same across the country.
Currently, the centre’s vaccination policy provides for free vaccination for people aged 45 and over and a paid system for people between 18 and 44 years of age.
AFFECTED YOUNG PEOPLE DURING THE SECOND WAVE
The Supreme Court found that the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic had been affected many people in the 18-44 age groupmany of which developed serious complications.
Health experts recently pointed out that in contrast to the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, when older people and people with comorbidities were more affected, younger people were more affected in the second nationwide surge in coronavirus infections.
“In contrast to the previous policy, the liberalized vaccination policy does not prioritize people with comorbidities and other diseases, people with disabilities or other vulnerable groups. This is particularly controversial because experience with the second wave of pandemics has shown that the Covid-19 virus is capable of mutation and is now also a threat to people in this age group (18-44), ”said the Supreme Court.
SC ASKS CENTER FOR DATA
The Supreme Court has asked the central government for a response to clarify how 35,000 billion rupees that were allocated in the Union budget to procure Covid-19 vaccines were spent. The court asked why people between the ages of 18 and 44 could not be vaccinated.
The court ordered the center to document full data containing the purchase history of all Covid-19 vaccines within two weeks. The central government has been asked to document all relevant documents and memos that reflect their deliberations culminating in the Covid-19 vaccination policy.
The bank also looked for data on the percentage of urban and rural populations vaccinated – with one or both doses – of the eligible population. It should also outline how and when the remaining population will be vaccinated.
In addition, the Supreme Court has asked all states and Union territories to provide two weeks’ time to clarify their position on the provision of free vaccinations.
The matter was brought up for a further hearing on June 30th.
(With entries from PTI)
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