New Delhi: The Supreme Court has raised serious questions on the vaccination policy of the Center. The court has held the vaccination policy for the age group of 18-44 years prima facie illogical. This policy of the central government has been challenged in the Supreme Court. Describing the vaccination as very important, the court said, there are reports that people in the age group of 18-44 years are not only getting infected with Covid-19, but also seriously, getting sick too. He has to be hospitalized for a long time. There have also been deaths of patients in all the unfortunate cases.
In view of the changing trend of the epidemic, it is being felt that people in the age group of 18-44 should also be vaccinated. However, preference may be maintained to different age groups on scientific grounds. Therefore, it is prima facie an arbitrary and illogical decision by the Central Government to make vaccination free in the first two phases of vaccination and to put the responsibility of payment to the states and private hospitals for the age group of 18 to 44.
SC directs Center to place on record file noting relevant documents showing its views on COVID-19 vaccination policy. Explain how the Rs 35,000 crore earmarked for the purchase of vaccine in the Union Budget has been spent so far and why it cannot be used to buy a vaccine for people aged 18-44.
