Public safety concerns: Centre reveals why it opted for phased Covid vaccination in SC affidavit

Filed in the Supreme Court, the Centre's affidavit says phased vaccination against Covid-19 is being done as per WHO guidelines.

Coronavirus vaccines cannot be made available in the open market at this stage, the Government of India says in an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court. Since the vaccination drive was commenced on January 16 of this year, a total of 2,99,08,038 doses have been administered across the country. In its affidavit, the Centre also justified its decision to opt for phased vaccination. Inoculation of certain categories of vulnerable persons is being done as per WHO guidelines, it adds. The central government goes on to say that there are only two vaccine manufacturers in India. It also cites the shortage of enough trained personnel to administer them as the reason why the vaccines have been cleared only for emergency use for now.