Vaccination of pregnant, lactating women: DCPCR moves SC against govt advisory

Notification based on unreasonable classification, arbitrary and violated right to life of a class of women, says Commission

The Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) has moved the Supreme Court against the January 14 advisory of the Union government excluding pregnant and lactating women from COVID-19 vaccination. The notification was based on unreasonable classification, arbitrary and violated the right to life of a class of women. It also threatened the life of new-born children and the reproductive health of women. “The health of pregnant women and lactating mothers is inextricably connected with and directly impacts on the mortality and health of children,” the petition said. The advisory was issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. “No subsequent change has been made to the advisory, despite later evidence, medical research and studies all demonstrating the need to vaccinate pregnant and lactating women, to protect them from COVID-19,” the plea submitted.