Wastage Of Single Dose Of COVID19 Vaccine Would Be A Criminal Waste : Delhi High Court

Referring to reports of wastage of as 44 lakhs vaccines out of 10 crores vaccines allotted to States, the Delhi High Court said that "wastage of even a single dose of vaccine,when the same is proving to be life–saving, would be a criminal waste".

"Once the vial is opened, it has to be either fully consumed, or the remainder goes waste", observed a division bench comprising Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli.

The bench was informed that one vial contains 10 doses.

"It should be possible for the Government(s) to devise ways and means so as to register volunteers who may be below the age group of 45 years, and above the age of 18 years –who could be called upon to take the residual doses of vaccine, in case, there are doses left unutilised after, say, 05.00 P.M on each day. That would ensure that all the doses are fully utilised, and not wasted. We may observe that this flexibility is available in other countries such as United States of America. For this purpose, the Government should modify their mobile COVIN application appropriately, urgently.We direct the Government to look into this aspect forthwith and report status on the next date", the Court observed.

The matter will be next considered on April 22.

The bench made these observations in the case Rakesh Malhotra v Union of India, a PIL in which the Court is considering aspects related to availability of COVID-19 beds, oxygen supply, RT-PCR tests etc., in the national capital.

The bench has passed several other directions to ensure the availability of oxygen and essential COVID19 medicines(separate report on that may be read here).

Click here to read/download the order