Covid-19: Karnataka High Court Issues Notice To Centre On Senior Citizens' Plea Seeking Administration Of 'Covovax' Vaccine To Adults
The Karnataka High Court has issued notice to the Central government and other respondents on a petition filed by a senior citizen Arun Kumar Agarwal seeking directions to permit administration of the Covovax vaccine, manufactured by M/s. Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd to persons above the age of 18 years. A single judge bench of Justice S G Pandit issued the notice. The plea says...
The Karnataka High Court has issued notice to the Central government and other respondents on a petition filed by a senior citizen Arun Kumar Agarwal seeking directions to permit administration of the Covovax vaccine, manufactured by M/s. Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd to persons above the age of 18 years.
A single judge bench of Justice S G Pandit issued the notice. The plea says the Centre has granted use of Covovax as, "Restricted Use in Emergency Situation" for adults on 27.12.2021 and for children on 08.03.2021. Despite the same, it is being made available only for children between the ages of 12-17.
The petitioner contends that he is a senior citizen and a diabetic with co-morbidities and it would be a great risk in being vaccinated by either Covishield or Covaxin. He further claims that Covovax vaccine is the best vaccine available since it provides a much greater efficacy and protection against the Covid-19 virus as compared to either the Covishield or Covaxin vaccine.
It is submitted that Covovax vaccine has an efficacy rate of more than 89% in preventing the COVID-19 virus. Several scientific publications also maintain that the Covovax vaccine is more than 87% effective against the Covid-19 virus. These efficacy figures are considerably higher than Covishield and Covaxin vaccines, and hence offer a much higher level of protection against the fatal and life threatening Covid-19 virus, the plea claims.
The Petitioner claims that he has till date remained un-vaccinated from COVID-19 and to avoid contraction, he has remained isolated at his residence, isolated from his wife, children and grand-children, ever since March 2020.
"The Petitioner is waiting for the release of Covovax for adults so that he can come out of his confined existence and lead a normal life like everyone else and ultimately be protected to the best possible extent from the Covid-19 virus."
By way of interim relief the petitioner has sought direction to the respondents to administer the Covovax vaccine to the Petitioner at any hospital.
Case Title: Arun Kumar Agarwal And Union of India and Others
Case No: WP 11723/2022
Appearance: Vivek Holla for petitioner; Assistant Solicitor General Shanthi Bhushan for R1.