"Directed Private Hospitals, Nursing Homes To Strictly Administer Covaxin To Those Eligible For Second Dose Between 18-44 Yrs": Delhi Govt Tells High Court

The Delhi Government on Monday informed the Delhi High Court that it has directed all Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes to ensure that Covaxin shall be given only to those who are eligible for recieving second dose from the age group of 18-44yrs during June till further orders.

A single judge bench comprising of Justice Rekha Palli was also apprised by the Centre that it has allocated additional 40,000 doses of Covaxin to the Delhi Government vide letter dated 4th June for the purpose of such priority Vaccination.

The development after the Court had observed that the failure to administer the second dose would compromise and frustrate the very exercise of administering the initial dose. 

While observing so, the Court had asked the Delhi Government and the Centre to place on record the communications exchanged between them with regards to the persons who have not been administered the second dose of Covaxin till date falling between the age group of 18-44 years.

During the course of hearing on Monday, the Court was apprised by ASC Anuj Aggarwal appearing for the Delhi Government apprised the Court that in view of the emergent situation, additional doses were received by the State Government and that due to the Judicial intervention, more pro active and vigilant steps were undertaken by the Government.

However, Advocate Pallav Mongia appearing for the Petitioner raised a greivance that the number of people recieving their first dose are likely to complete the 6 weeks period on June 14. Submitting so, it was stated that failure of them not getting a slot may make the whe exercise futile.

In view of this, the Court had sought response of the Centre and the Delhi Government as to how it suggests that the six weeks window period before June 14 may be dealt with and also to examine whether the number of slots available for the second dose can be increased.

In the affidavit filed by the Central Government in this regard, it has been stated that the Delhi Government has already received 1.5 lakh doses of Covaxin in May 2021 and a total of 91,960 doses are likely to be available for the month of June 2021 for direct procurement to cover 18-44 years of people.

During the last course of hearing, Calling it a "question of serious and urgent public concern", a single bench comprising of Justice Rekha Palli observed thus:

"Keeping in view the fact that the second dose of COVAXIN is, as per the existing protocol, required to be administered within 4-6 weeks of the first dose, which the GNCTD admits that it may not be in a position to do – it is evident that the failure to administer the second dose would compromise and frustrate the very exercise of administering the initial dose in the first place."

The Court was hearing a plea filed by the persons who fall within the age group of 18 to 44 (less than 45) years and have already received first dose of the 'Covaxin' vaccine.

Title: MR. ASHISH VIRMANI v. GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI & ANR.