Approach Centre For Additional Supply Of Covid-19 Vaccines If Allocated Quota Is Inadequate: Karnataka High Court Tells State

Amicus curiae Vikram Huilgol raised a question whether the doses available in July 2021 to the state government from the Central government will be sufficient to meet the requirement of second doses which are due in July.

Huilgol submitted that as per the latest media bulletin issued by the Government of Karnataka on July 8, 2,04,62,938 first doses have been administered in the State and 44,37,273 second doses have been administered. Therefore, as of July 8, 1,60,20,665 people have not taken their second dose.

Further it was pointed out by him that a large number of people have taken their first doses in the months of April and May, 2021. For the month of July 2021, the State Government is allocated a quota of 49,77,830 doses of Covishield and 10,20,630 doses of Covaxin. Thus, in July total doses of 59,98,460 will be provided to the State which includes, private quota as well. Thus it was said whether doses available in July 2021 will be sufficient to meet the requirement of second doses will have to be assessed.

Additional Advocate General Dhyan Chinnappa informed the court that approximately 6.72 lakhs doses of Covishield were available in the State as of July 9 and 2.30 lakhs doses of Covaxin are available.

Accordingly, the court said "We direct the State Government to place on record the assessment made of the requirement of second doses in the State in the months of July and August, 2021. Needless to add that if as per the estimate made by the State Government, the number of doses allocated to the State of Karnataka are inadequate, the State Government shall immediately move the Government of India for grant of additional quota."

Urban/Rural Divide in Vaccination

Huilgol in his written submission, relied on the Union Government affidavit filed before the Supreme Court to point out that even though 63% of all Covid Vaccination Centers ("CVCs") in the State are located in rural areas, only 46% of the total vaccine doses have been administered in rural CVCs. In other words, 37% of the CVCs in the State are located in urban areas and those CVCs have administered 54% of the vaccines.

Following which the court directed the state government to address the court on the issue of urban rural divide in the number of vaccines. "The State Government will have to address the Court on this aspect," it said.

The court will continue hearing on a batch of petition seeking proper Covid-19 management in the state on July 16.