Won’t do anything to bring on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, says SC

Petitioner seeks active surveillance of immunised people

The Supreme Court on Friday made it clear that it will not do anything to bring on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy even as it asked a petitioner to serve a copy of his plea to direct the Government for active surveillance of immunised people and publication of the exact number of deaths which occurred within 30 days of inoculation.

“Look at the positivity of vaccination. We cannot send a message that there is some problem with the vaccination. WHO has spoken in favour of vaccines, countries all over the world are vaccinating their citizens. We cannot cast any doubts,” Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, heading a Bench comprising Justice A.S. Bopanna, said.

Appearing for petitioner Ajay Kumar Gupta, senior advocate Colin Gonsalves argued that people who have been vaccinated are not being taken for follow-ups.