Kerala High Court Reserves Judgment On Centre's Appeal Against Direction To Reduce Covshield Dose Interval

The Kerala High Court on Monday reserved for orders the matter assailing the single judge decision allowing early administration of the second dose of COVISHIELD vaccine to the workers of two petitioner companies before completion of the prescribed 84 day-gap.

A Division Bench of Chief Justice S Manikumar and Justice Shaji P Chaly was hearing an appeal preferred by the Central government alleging that by allowing early administration of the vaccine, the Single Judge had interfered with the Vaccine policy of the Government.

By the aforesaid judgment, the single bench had directed the appellants to make necessary provisions forthwith in the CoWIN portal so as to enable scheduling of a second dose of COVISHIELD vaccine after four weeks of the first dose being administered for those who were willing to accept the same.

The Centre argued before the Court today that it had the right to ensure that its citizens are better protected from the Covid-19 virus while adding that the Court was not empowered to interfere with the government policy of prescribed dose interval for COVISHIELD.

Additionally, it was contended by the Central government that only the respondent company herein desired to get its workers vaccinated with the second jab before the completion of 84 days and that the rights of the individual workers were violated by such a move.

However, Advocate Blaze K Jose appearing for the respondents vehemently denied the aforementioned claims. 

The Court had earlier refused to stay the single judge's decision. 

Case Title: Secretary to Government of India Department of Health and Family Welfare v. Kitex Garments Ltd & Ors