COVID-19- Doorstep Vaccination Of Elderly, Disabled And Others Who Can't Approach Vaccination Centres: Orissa HC Seeks Centre's Response

Dealing with a petition seeking judicial intervention to ensure vaccination for senior citizens with ailments and for those who are physically challenged and are unable to approach the vaccination centres, the Orissa High Court on Thursday (May 6) adjourned the matter for hearing on May 12 in light of the Supreme Court's order dated April 30.

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The petition, filed by Sohan Mishra and two others, seeks direction to provide such people vaccine at home.

The Bench of Chief Justice Dr. S. Muralidhar and Justice B. P. Routray noted that the Supreme Court has, in its April 30 Order, sought specific responses from the Central Government on the steps to ensure "outreaching the rural areas and socioeconomically underprivileged sections of society.

The steps, the Court added, include the possibility of using mobile vans, vehicles and railways to vaccinate such people as well as those living in remote areas, near their doorsteps so as to minimize their travel and potential infection with COVID-2019."

It may be noted that the Supreme Court has further added that Efforts must also be made that a lack of identity proof does not create a hindrance in the process of immunization of all individuals, specifically, the underprivileged.

In this backdrop, the Orissa High Court said,

"It must be possible to broadly interpret the expression 'the underprivileged', in the context of issues raised, to include those who, either due to age or disability or any other reason are unable to reach vaccination centres."

To this, P.K. Parhi, the Assistant Solicitor General of India stated that he will seek specific instructions as to the policy the Union of India seeks to adopt to ensure the availability of vaccines and the facility of vaccination to specific groups of people who are not in a position to approach the vaccination centres.

With this, the Court posted the matter for further hearing on April 30.

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