Center responsible for vaccination for 18 to 45 years: Supreme

- Declared the policy of delegating responsibility to states and private hospitals irrational

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has sought a reply from the Center on the corona vaccination campaign. The Supreme Court has sought from the Center all the details of the purchase of the vaccine as well as the details of the vaccination plan of the government. It has also been ordered to release data on how many people have been vaccinated so far. The apex court said that the responsibility for vaccination of over 6 years of age rests with the Center, similarly the responsibility for vaccination campaign for 15 to 6 years should be shifted to the Center and private hospitals instead of the Center.

The apex court said there were reports that 18- to 5-year-olds were not only being infected with the corona but also becoming seriously ill. They have to stay in the hospital for a long time. Patients are also dying in all the unfortunate cases. Seeing the changing nature of the epidemic, it seems that even 15 to 6 year olds should be vaccinated. However, the decision of the central government to hand over the vaccination campaign to state and private hospitals for 15 to 5 years is arbitrary and irrational.

A report has also been sought on the steps taken by the central government to tackle the black fungus. The Supreme Court has directed to answer all the questions on how many people have been vaccinated in rural and urban areas within two weeks. Justices DY Chandrachud, LN Rao and S Ravindra Bhat of the special bench of the apex court said that details including purchase, order, supply of vaccines should be given along with the date. The case will now be heard on June 30.