New Delhi: The Center has told the Supreme Court that the COVID-19 vaccination guidelines issued by the Union Health Ministry do not talk about forcibly vaccinating a person without his consent. In an affidavit filed in the court, the Health Ministry has said that India’s vaccination program is the largest in the world and a total of 1,52,95,43,602 doses of vaccine had been administered till January 11, 2022.
According to the affidavit, 90.84 percent of the eligible population in the country has received the first dose of vaccine and 61 percent of the population has received the second dose. “In addition, a total of 23,768 doses have been administered to persons with disabilities who have voluntarily opted for such identification using their Unique Disability Identity Card/Disability Certificate for registration at the time of vaccination,” the affidavit said. “
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On the matter of exempting persons with disabilities from producing vaccination certificates, the Center told the court that it has not issued any standard operating procedure (SOP) which makes it mandatory to carry a vaccination certificate for any purpose. The Center said this in its affidavit filed in response to a petition by the NGO Awara Foundation. In the petition, a door-to-door visit has been requested to vaccinate persons with disabilities on priority basis.
“The guidelines issued by the Government of India and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare do not speak of forced immunization without obtaining the consent of the person concerned,” the Health Ministry affidavit said. “It is reported that in view of the prevailing pandemic situation, vaccination for COVID-19 is in wider public interest,” it said.
“It is duly advised, advertised and communicated through various print and social media platforms that all citizens should get vaccinated and arrangements and procedures have been devised to facilitate the same,” the ministry said. However, a person cannot be forced to vaccinate against his will. ,
On the issue of ‘door-to-door’ vaccination, the affidavit said guidance has been provided to states and union territories for careful, need-based planning so that homes in a block or urban area Vaccine Centers (NHCVCs) can be strategized and NHCVC sites can be identified as per the guidelines. (agency)