People Receiving First Dose Of Covid-19 Vaccine Can't Wait Indefinitely For Second Dose After Interval Period Is Over: Tripura High Court

The Tripura High Court has observed that people who have received their first dose of Covid-19 vaccine, including both Covishield or Covaxin, cannot be made to wait indefinitely for receiving their second dose after the mandatory interval is over. It therefore asked the State administration to raise the number of vaccination doses.

The observation came from a division bench comprising of Chief Justice Akil Kureshi and Justice S Talapatra. It stated,

"…what causes concern is that those who have already received first vaccine, would qualify for administration of second doze upon completion of 12 weeks or 4 weeks depending on the vaccine administered (Covishield or Covaxin as the case may be). These people, who have already received their first doze, cannot wait indefinitely for receiving the second doze after the mandatory period is over."

Furthermore, it said:

"In our State, surely there are large number of people (about 14 lakhs going by the figures of the vaccine bulletin) who have received the first vaccine but not the second vaccine. The State administration must think about raising sufficient number of vaccine dozes to cover this population within the recommended period."

The Court also asked the State Government to take up the aforesaid issue with the committee looking into the aspect of allocation of vaccines.

Relying on two newspapers articles published on June 25, quoting the National Health Mission Director of the State that around 80% of population in all groups and 98% from the age group of 45 have received their first doses, the Court observed that neither of the claims were accurate.

Stressing on the need for transparency and accuracy in public information distribution by the State, the Court said:

"When an officer as responsible as the Mission Direction of National Health Mission, Tripura, is quoted to have provided information which was inaccurate, we expected him to issue correction statement to the press."

"At least, an official statement to the press pointing out that either there was an error on his side in providing the information or there was a misunderstanding on part of the press should have been issued. We expect him to do so without any further delay." The Court directed.

Furthermore, the Court noted that drop in the positivity rate has plateaued out and the same is lingering around 5% since some time. It thus asked the State Government to implement Covid-19 safety guidelines and also the people to scrupulously follow them. "These figures plainly suggest that there is no place for complacency in dealing with the Covid situation," the Court said.

Title: Court on its own motion : Mr. Somik Deb, Amicus Curiae

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