SC Comes Down Heavily on Centre over Vaccination Policy, Calls It Irrational and Arbitrary

New Delhi: The Supreme Court today came down heavily on the Central Government over its COVID-19 vaccination policy, calling it “irrational” and “arbitrary”.

The apex court said that the Centre’s policy of free vaccination for those 45 and above and a paid system for those between 18-44 age group is “arbitrary and Irrational”.

A bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud, LN Rao and S R Bhat said, “Policy of Centre for conducting free vaccination for groups under first two phases and replacing it with paid vaccination by states/UTs and private hospitals for persons in 18-44 years age group, is prima facie arbitrary, irrational”.

The top court asked the Centre to clarify how the Rs 35,000 crore earmarked in the Union Budget for procuring vaccines have been spent so far and why they cannot be utilized for vaccinating persons aged 18-44 years.

“Unlike the prior policy, the Liberalized Vaccination policy does not prioritise persons with co-morbidities and other diseases, persons with disabilities, or any other vulnerable groups. This is especially at issue because the experience of the second wave of the pandemic has provided experiential learning that the COVID-19 virus is capable of mutation and now poses a threat to persons in this age group (18-44) as well,” it added.

“Due to the importance of vaccinating individuals in the 18-44 age group, the policy of the Central Government for conducting free vaccination themselves for groups under the first 2 phases, and replacing it with paid vaccination by the State/UT Governments and private hospitals for the persons between 18-44 years is, prima facie, arbitrary and irrational,” it further said.

The Supreme Court also asked the Centre to furnish complete data related to vaccines purchased so far including Covaxin, Covishield and Sputnik V.