Door-To-Door COVID Vaccination: Can’t Pass General Order, Says Supreme Court

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday said that a general order cannot be issued for implementing door-to-door COVID-19 vaccination in India because of diverse conditions across states.

Rather, the apex court left it to the states to take a call on the matter, and directed the petitioner to approach the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare with the suggestions.

The bench of justices DY Chandrachud, Vikram Nath and Hima Kohli was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Youth Bar Association of India seeking door-to-door vaccination for all citizens, particularly the elderly, persons with disability, less privileged and weaker sections of society, and those who were unable to register online.

While directing the petitioner to approach the ministry of health and family welfare (MoHFW) with their suggestions, the bench of justices Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, Vikram Nath and Hima Kohli said,

“The vaccination programme is already underway and has progressed considerably. At this stage it is difficult for us to issue general directions having regard to the diversity of conditions existing in the country. Any direction by us should not impinge upon the administrative power of the state governments to take any decision, including door-to-door vaccination,” the Supreme Court observed.

Bombay High Court had earlier asked the Maharashtra government to consider door-to-door vaccination for the elderly and bedridden or wheelchair-bound people.

The Supreme Court bench said it was aware of the high court order. “These are not matters where with one brush you can pass a direction for the entire country. Can you say the same conditions exist in Ladakh as in Uttar Pradesh or any urban area has the same conditions as prevailing in rural areas?”