Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Monday was held that it did not allow citizens to have a second dose of Covid-19 vaccines earlier while allowing several categories such as those that occurred abroad, especially when they were willing to utilize paid vaccinations.
Allowing Applications by Kitex Garments Limited and other companies for the initial second dose vaccination of their workers, PB Chief Suresh Kumar ordered the central government to make changes to the Cowin portal for booking vaccines to allow citizens to choose between the two.
Initial vaccination for safe or late vaccination for better efficacy.
Both the central and state governments have been agreed before the court that the second dose vaccination is permitted for several categories, such as people who go abroad for work or studies, government officials who need travel abroad, and those who participate in the Olympics.
The court argues that citizens who pay the Covishield vaccine have the right to choose whether to be vaccinated after four weeks of the first dose, as originally prescribed by the government, or after 84 days as determined by the central government by quoting a better efficacy.
In assessment, the court notes that voluntary vaccination and the dose gap prescribed by the center can only be considered as advisors.
In such circumstances, there is no reason for the central government to oppose its own decision to distribute vaccines through private hospitals to enable people to vaccinate earlier, said the court.
The court has also clarified that it has not made a decision about whether residents have the choice for early vaccination or late vaccination while utilizing vaccines for free from the government.
Blaze K Jose’s advocacy argues for KItex that prevents the initial administration of the second dose vaccine to the applicant’s employee after buying a vaccine at a cost of Rs 1.5crore in discrimination.