Petition demands Sputnik-V vaccine in COVID-19 vaccination policy, SC says Health Ministry to decide

New Delhi: While hearing a petitioner who had sought the court's intervention in modifying the COVID-19 vaccination policy to allow voluntary revaccination of persons who have received the Sputnik-V vaccine, the Supreme Court asked the petitioner to move a representation before the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. 

As per a media report in the Economic Times, the instructions were given by a two judge bench comprising of Justices D Y Chandrachud and Surya Kant. They observed that the plea has been filed under Article 32 without a demand for justice being made before the competent authority.   

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The plea was filed by a petitioner identified as Tarun Mehta, who had invoked the jurisdiction of the Supreme court under Article 32 of the Constitution seeking a modification in the COVID-19 vaccination policy. 

The petitioner argued that he had taken the Sputnik-V vaccination, however, he is unable to travel abroad as it has not been approved by the World Health Organisation so far. Subsequently, the petitioner asked for a modification in the policy to enable the voluntary revaccination of persons who have received the Sputnik-V vaccine and those who have a desire of travelling abroad.

The bench observed, "The safety and efficacy of the measure require a careful and calibrated scientific assessment. Hence, the petitioner is permitted to highlight the hardship which is being faced by him and perhaps, by similarly placed other individuals, by moving a representation before the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare."

 The court further added, "The petitioner is granted liberty to do so. The MOH&FW is requested to consider it appropriately bearing in mind all relevant aspects with reasonable expedition."

Medical Dialogues team had earlier published that the Supreme Court said that no individual can be forced to get vaccinated and added that the current Covid-19 vaccine policy of the government is not arbitrary. 

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