New Delhi: The Centre informed the Supreme Court that the health ministry’s COVID-19 guidelines on inoculation do not allow forcible vaccination sans the consent of an individual.
The apex court was told that the Centre has not issued any SOP that makes it mandatory to carry the vaccination certificate for any purpose. This was mentioned on the issue of exempting persons with disabilities from producing vaccination certificates, reported news agency PTI.
The Centre said this in its affidavit filed in response to a plea by NGO Evara Foundation seeking door-to-door, priority COVID-19 vaccination for persons with disabilities.
“It is submitted that the direction and guidelines released by Government of India and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare do not envisage any forcible vaccination without obtaining consent of the concerned individual.
“It is submitted that vaccination for COVID-19 is of larger public interest in view of the ongoing pandemic situation,” the Union health ministry said via an affidavit.
“It is duly advised, advertised and communicated through various print and social media platforms that all citizens should get vaccinated and systems and processes have been designed to facilitate the same,” the ministry said.
“However, no person can be forced to be vaccinated against their wishes,” the ministry added.
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