'Don't Give False Hope To People That They'll Get Vaccine' : Karnataka HC Directs State To Inform Steps Taken To Procure Second Doses

Observing that the situation regarding vaccination in the State of Karnataka continues to be critical, the Karnataka High Court on Thursday directed the state government to place on record the steps it has taken to procure 7,04,050 doses of Covishield and 2,44,170 doses of Covaxin, to be given as second doses to people who are due as per timeline framed by body of experts. A division bench of Chief Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Aravind Kumar said "We direct state and central government to place on record material to show what steps are being taken to ensure that no beneficiary who has completed six weeks after taking the first dose of Covaxin is denied the second dose. Necessary material shall be placed on record by next Tuesday." As per details submitted to the court as on May 18, more than 4,55,084, who have taken Covaxin first dose have completed 4 weeks. As on date 39,457 beneficiaries have completed 3 weeks. 22,780 have completed 2 weeks. 16,000 have completed one week. As of today 97,440 doses of Covaxin are available with the state government. The stand of the Government of India is that in the second fortnight of May 2021. A total of 1,64,840 free doses will be allocated to the state and the state government can purchase 2,44,170 doses by direct procurement. On going through this the court said "We direct the state government to place on record what efforts the state government has made to procure 2,44,170 doses." It added "Going by the figures given by the state government it can be broadly stated that by end of May more 4,50,000 beneficiaries who had taken the first dose of Covaxin will complete six weeks. Therefore, even as regards Covaxin there is a serious issue of shortage of vaccine." As regards Covishield, the court was informed that as on May 16, 80,42,371 beneficiaries have received their first dose of Covishield vaccine and 22,08,320 beneficiaries received their second dose of Covishiled. A total of 58,34,050 beneficiaries will require the second dose in future. As of today total stock of Covishield vaccine available with the state is 7,14,140. The court said "Thus as far as covishield is concerned looking at the larger picture by taking figures as correct there is going to be shortage of doses even for those who have taken the first dose. State government will have to place on record what efforts it has made to procure 7,04,050 doses." During the hearing the bench orally said "We know that there is no magical wand to make vaccines. But let the people know about the availability of vaccines and they should be more prepared, wear masks and follow other precautions. Don't give false hope to the people that they will get the vaccine." It added "The picture that is being shown as of now is that everyone will get a vaccine. The State government and Central government must inform the people. The state government must come out with a white paper on the availability of vaccines in the state. State government should go to the public and make a declaration, so that people don't go to vaccine centres with a hope and come back without a vaccine." Follow Timeline for administering second dose of vaccine. As per a letter issued by the Central government to all the state Chief Secretaries on May 13, which draws the recommendations of the body of experts, it is stated that a second dose of Covishield can be administered between12 to16 weeks from first dose instead of earlier interval of 6 to 8 weeks. The interval between two doses applicable to Covaxin, remains unchanged. It was pointed out across the bar whether the person who does not get the second dose within the deadline fixed by the body of experts will have to take the first dose all over again. The court said "We are not going to go into this question for the simple reason we are examining the issue of vaccination in the light of Right to Health, which is an integral part of Article 21 of Constitution of India. If the body of experts recommends a timeline which is accepted by the Central Government, to ensure that there is effective vaccination those timelines will have to be abided by." It added "For vaccination to become effective as one of the important measures to prevent the spread of covid-19. It is imperative for all concerned to ensure that recommendations of body experts which are accepted by the Government of Indian are followed in true letter and spirit." Should the State government direct private agencies to prioritise on giving second doses only? Senior Advocate Jayna Kothari pointed out to the court that private agencies are administering first doses even when there is a shortage of vaccine for second dose and for people belonging to the age group of 60 and above. Amicus Vikram Huilgol pointed out that as per the Central government policy out of 50 percent of supply by manufacturers 25 percent can be...

'Don't Give False Hope To People That They'll Get Vaccine' : Karnataka HC Directs State To Inform Steps Taken To Procure Second Doses

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