The Centre informs the Supreme Court that Zydus Cadila will be shot for 12-18 soon.

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Monday, 28th June 2021

The central government stated in an affidavit to the Supreme Court on Saturday that a new coronavirus vaccine manufactured by Indian pharmaceutical company Zydus Cadila will be available shortly for people aged 12 to 18.

The centre also updated the court on its plans to vaccinate all adults in the country by the end of the year, in response to the Supreme Court's critical questioning regarding the vaccine effort that followed a dramatic revision in its policy earlier this month.

It stated that 186.6 crore doses are required to vaccinate the 93-94 crore people above the age of 18.

Walk-in immunizations are now available for people of all ages, and the digital divide is no longer a barrier to vaccine access, according to the statement.

The centre, which described its vaccination policy as "dynamic" rather than "static," said COVID-19 doses are now free for all people over the age of 18 under a new policy that went into effect on Monday.

The centre also stated that it has ordered states to investigate phoney vaccine camps and prosecute those involved.

It stated that vaccination numbers are made available to the public on a daily basis, emphasising its commitment to transparency.

It added that there is a new voucher plan to make private vaccination centres available to economically disadvantaged parts of society, and that NGOs can purchase these vouchers and distribute them to individuals in need.

Also read: To combat the Delta Variant Surge, South Africa tightens its grip.

"Vaccination for COVID-19 is being carried out in accordance with the universal vaccination programme," the statement stated.

The 375-page government affidavit was filed in the Supreme Court amid mounting fears about the Delta Plus strain of the coronavirus and the possibility of a third wave, just weeks after the second wave of COVID-19 killed thousands and caused unimaginable agony.

In India, where more than half of the population is still unvaccinated, new variations are a concern. Only roughly 5.6 percent of India's adult population has had two doses of the vaccine.

The Supreme Court had said earlier this month in a harshly worded judgement that created significant concerns for the administration that the center's policy of subsidised vaccination for individuals aged 18 to 44 was "arbitrary and unreasonable."

The court also requested that the centre reassess its vaccination strategy and "put on record a roadmap of predicted vaccine availability through 31 December 2021," citing a scarcity of vaccine doses and issues faced by rural residents in getting immunizations.

In a spectacular U-turn less than a week after the scolding, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that, beginning June 21, the central will provide vaccines free of charge to all adults over the age of 18 and would reclaim authority of immunisation from states.

The case will be heard in court again on Wednesday.

The News Talkie Bureau

Source

NDTV