MUMBAI: With the Centre’s counsel saying its vaccination policy is “merely a guideline or advisory” with no categorical prohibition on states to provide door-to-door shots for the elderly and disabled, Bombay high court on Monday gave Maharashtra a week to spell out its position on the issue.
When asked by a bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Girish Kulkarni if the Centre had sought to prohibit states like Kerala and the union territory of Jammu & Kashmir which plans to commence door-to-door vaccination for the elderly and bedridden, additional solicitor general Anil Singh appearing for the Central government reiterated that its policy was advisory in nature and states were “expected to follow it.” HC in its order, after a hearing via video conferencing on a PIL by two lawyers, said, “From such reply of …Singh, it clearly appears to us that there is no categorical prohibition…” BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) through its counsel Anil Sakhare said the civic administration would follow the state’s directives if it permits a door-to-door protocol for vaccinating the homebound.
He said it would await the state’s directions.
Sakhare requested that a short time limit be set for the state to issue protocols which ought to also mention the number of people who would need home vaccination to ensure there is no wastage of the vaccine once a vial is opened.
The PIL seeking a policy to enable the elderly aged over 75 and other specially abled who are bedridden to receive a vaccination at their bedside was filed by lawyers Dhruti Kapadia and Kunal Tiwari.
Kapadia had submitted a compilation with a news report about the state working on protocols for door-to-door vaccination as announced by public health minister Rajesh Tope.
The state government lawyer read out the news report and sought time to take instructions on what the minister said.
The HC has adjourned the PIL proceedings to June 22, “to enable the State Government to take an appropriate decision on the issue…’’ The HC order added that if the state’s decision comes before the next date, all concerned were free to implement it immediately.
The Centre has, however, said as a ‘national policy’ at this stage, its expert group has advised against ‘door to door’ vaccination due to risks in managing adverse effects following immunization and maintaining protocols for a cold chain, to ensure no wastage.