Covid-19: Delhi High Court Seeks Centre's Report On Policy For Vaccination Of Children Below 12 Yrs

The Delhi High Court on Monday asked the Centre to file a report indicating the steps taken by it for vaccination of children below the age of 12 years, against Covid-19.

The Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Navin Chawla directed the Centre to file its response before the next date of hearing, May 12.

The direction was passed in a plea filed on behalf of a 12 year old last year, seeking directions to immediately vaccinate children. The plea also prayed for formulating a comprehensive National Plan with respect to children covering all aspects of their protection from the ill effects of Covid-19.

At the outset today, the Bench told Senior Advocate Kailash Vasdev appearing for the petitioner that the petition has become infructuous as the Government is already in the process of vaccinating children aged 12 to 14 years. They are being administered Corbevax.

However, Vasdev responded that the petition pertains to vaccination of all children, irrespective of their age group.

The Bench then told the counsel that it is for the Experts to determine the feasibility of administering vaccines to children and infants. It stated that it is not for the Court to pass a general direction for vaccinating everyone. Only medical and health experts can take a decision based on clinical trials.

As the counsel insisted that the Court may seek a status report on the deliberations about feasibility of vaccinating those below 12 years, the Court directed the Centre to file its response.

Case Title: Tia Gupts (Minor) & Anr. v. Union of India & Anr.