The Meghalaya High Court has recently directed the state government to deal with vaccine hesitancy among the residents of the state in an effective manner and on a priority basis.
The division bench of Chief Justice Biswanath Somadder and Justice H.S. Thangkhiew passed this order while hearing a PIL filed by the Registrar General, High Court of Meghalaya. The Court them extended the time for filing of reports by the secretaries of all District Legal Services Authorities, in terms of order dated June 23.
“So far as the vaccine hesitation issue is concerned, we have categorically observed in our judgment and order dated 23rd June 2021, as to how the same is required to be dealt with by the State Government. However, from the submissions advanced by the learned Advocate General, it appears that the issue still remains to be addressed effectively,” the Court observed.
In an order dated June 23, 2021, the Court had made it clear that the Court shall monitor this issue closely so that the State Government is able to overcome the vaccine hesitancy at the earliest and all eligible persons in Meghalaya are vaccinated well within the timeframe as may be specified by the State.
“We reiterate our earlier observation and directed the State Government to deal with the vaccine hesitation issue on a priority basis – with full earnest – effectively. The Advocate General, on the next date, shall apprise the Court more specifically as to the manner in which the vaccine hesitation issue is being dealt with by the State Government,” the Court ordered.
The Court has fixed the next hearing of the petition on August 9.