The Delhi High Court disposed of a batch of petitions seeking administration of second dose of Bharat Biotech vaccine Covaxin saying both the Central and State governments were seen to be taking sound steps.
Justice Rekha Palli noted that the grievance of the petitioners have been resolved at large and the Counsel for government of NCT of Delhi had pointed out that there has been additional supply of Covaxin from Union of India and Bharat Biotech.
The petitions were primarily filed with the grievance of persons in age group of 18-44 years who got the first dose of Covaxin and were not yet administered the second dose within the prescribed time. The plea averred that if the second dosage would not be administered to these persons within the stipulated time-frame, then the entire purpose of the first dose would thus, stand redundant and futile.
The petitioners seek to assail the respondents i.e., the Government of NCT of Delhi and Union of India, respectively, as they were duty bound to monitor the entire process of vaccination and ensuring a smooth booking of Covid-19 vaccination to the beneficiaries in a timely manner which would ensure effective protection against corona virus.
However, the bench noted that the grievances of the petitioners were redressed at large during the pendency of these proceedings both the respondents were seen taken sound steps to address the concerns of the petitioners for instance, Counsel for Government of NCT made the submission that as per the last hearing 40,000 doses were procured and there have been additional 20,000 doses from the Special Court, which were the diversions for Delhi to bridge the gap. Already 1.5 lakh vaccinations had been inoculated and another 90,000 doses had been promised by Bharat Biotech during June. Also, the number of slots earlier was 150 which have now been increased up to 200.
The order passed by the Court stated that grievance of the petitioners have been resolved at a large extent and Counsel for Government of NCT of Delhi had pointed out that there have been an additional supply of Covaxin from Union of India and Bharat Biotech and are now making efforts to administer the second dose of Covaxin to all those who had got the first dose of Covaxin and he was seen further submitting that an order has been passed under the Delhi Disaster Management Authority clearly pointing out that only those persons in the age group of 18-44 who have received the first dose of Covaxin will be administered the second dose in June 2021.
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The petitioners were keen to bring to the notice of the court that now there are difficulties with respect to the CoWIN App wherein people after adding their number on the app are not receiving the OTP.
The Bench, however, was inclined on the observation that the system has changed and slowly all these issues will resolve and was pleased to appreciate the efforts made by the respondents as well as the petitioner. “The court must appreciate the stand taken by the respondents as also by the petitioners in bringing the problems which were faced by a number of people to the notice of this court,” the bench remarked.