The centre has defended its Covid vaccination policy – criticised for differential pricing, shortage of doses, and slow rollout – in an affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court late Sunday night.
The affidavit urged against “judicial interference” and warned that “overzealous, though well-meaning, intervention may lead to unforeseen and unintended consequences”. The court was asked to leave decisions “taken by the Executive, based on expert medical and scientific advice… in the larger public interest”.
Centre has said that augmenting the availability of Corona vaccine and completing vaccination of vulnerable groups are topmost priority of the government. In an affidavit filed before Supreme Court, it said, COVID vaccine strategy of the government is formulated to address immediate, medium-term and long-term perspectives.
On the immediate front, availability, augmentation and enhancement of vaccines and completing vaccination of vulnerable groups is the topmost priority, the affidavit said.
It said, pricing of vaccines is an important issue in medium to long term, and government is making all efforts on national and international level in this regard. The government filed the affidavit in a case pertaining to the apex court taking suo motu cognisance on Covid related issues. The case will come up for hearing before a three-judge bench headed by Justice DY Chandrahud today.