COVID19: Madras High Court Directs State To Indicate Plan Of Action For Vaccination Of Bed Ridden, Physically Disabled

"The State will indicate a plan of action to deal with vaccination of persons who are either homebound or with serious disabilities, so that such vulnerable persons are both protected and are not inconvenienced in seeking to be inoculated," a Division Bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy ordered.

The direction was made in a petition filed by one M. Karpagam.

The Advocate General appearing for the State Government assured the Court that appropriate measures are being taken by the State. However, the COVID-19 vaccination drive appears to be rather slow because of the non-availability of vaccines at the moment.

He submitted that a detailed affidavit wrt availability of vaccines in future has been filed by the Union in the suo motu proceedings initiated by the High Court in the wake of second surge of the pandemic.

The Division Bench nevertheless asked the AG to present a report in this regard within a fortnight.

Meanwhile, the High Courts of Allahabad and Orissa have also sought responses from the respective State Governments regarding vaccination for such group of people who are unable to approach the vaccination centres.

Also Read: COVID19- Prioritize Vaccination, Ensure That Vaccination Centres Are Accessible To Persons With Disabilities: Madras High Court Directs TN Govt.

Case Title: M. Karpagam v. Commissionerate for the Welfare of Differently Abled & Anr.

Click Here To Download Order

Read Order