The Supreme Court (SC) endorsed the individual’s right against forcible vaccination and government vaccination policy to protect communal heath. The SC found that certain UT and states deny basic welfare and freedom of movement to the unvaccinated population. A bench headed by Justice L Nageswara Rao stated that the risk of transmission from an unvaccinated person is the same as between two vaccinated people.

The judicial body directed the Centre to set up a virtual platform to facilitate easier reporting of the adverse effects of the vaccine in individuals and private doctors. The information regarding the adverse event is significant in providing awareness and contributing to further scientific studies.

The bench also stated that the pediatric vaccination policy was in tune with the global consensus and experts such as WHO, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, and the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. They added that there will be no second-guessing these experts, however, the center was asked to ensure that the results of relevant clinical trial phases were approved and regulated by authorities.

The bench, based on the three-fold requirements such as legality, legitimation of state aim, and object and means to achieve the preventive measure stated that the Union Governments’ current vaccination policy was reasonable.

Source: The Hindu