News Analysis India

Tag: COVID-19 vaccination policy

  • Vaccination priority for students going abroad, directs Punjab Government

    Express News Service
    CHANDIGARH: Students going abroad for studies will now get priority in the vaccination of the 18-44 age group in Punjab. At a high-level virtual Covid review meeting, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh directed the health and medical education departments to allow districts to use up to 10 per cent of the doses allocated for the 18-45 group for priority categories other than those approved at state level. 

    Besides students seeking to go abroad, caregivers of elderly persons and other urgent priority groups may be included in this list, he added. Punjab’s Covid Expert Group chief Dr KK Talwar said almost 30 per cent patients are having post Covid complications and continue to be symptomatic.

    Patients are taking almost three months to get back to normal, and thus need to be strictly monitored, he added. 

    Restrictions extended

    Meanwhile, the Punjab government ordered extension of Covid restrictions till June 15 with certain relaxations. Entry restrictions (negative Covid test or vaccination) for arrivals have been done away with. Shops can open till 6.00 pm and private offices can function at 50 per cent strength.

    ​Night curfew will remain in force from 7.00 pm to 6.00 am on weekdays, including Saturdays, but regular weekend curfew will continue on Sundays.

    The CM said DMs may determine opening of non-essential shops on the basis of situation. Gyms and restaurants could be opened after a week with 50 per cent capacity and other conditions, if the situation improves. Gym and restaurant owners and staff should get themselves vaccinated first, he added.

  • HC notice to the Centre on pleas challenging ‘discriminatory vaccination policy’

    By PTI
    KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Tuesday issued notice to the central government on two pleas, challenging its “discriminatory COVID-19 vaccination policy”.

    M K Muneer, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala assembly, in his plea, alleged that Liberalised Pricing and Accelerated National COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy issued by the Centre was violative of Article 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution.

    It was also contrary to the provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and consequent National Disaster Management Plan, 2019 (NDMP), he alleged.

    The petitioner said that by virtue of the new policy, dual pricing of vaccines has been allowed and states are forced to contend with private players to purchase the vaccines in the open market, whilst the central government procures them at a discounted/ subsidised rate.

    He alleged that the present policy for people in the 18-45 age group is discriminatory, especially when compared to the vaccination by the Centre for those above 45 years of age.

    According to the petitioner, numerous states, including Kerala, are up in arms objecting to the mechanism.

    He sought a direction to the central government to take over the vaccination programme in accordance with the National Disaster Management Plan and vaccinate all citizens free of cost.

    Another plea filed by a lawyer contended that the Centre should adhere to the National Vaccination Policy when it comes to procurement of vaccines.

    The court, after hearing both petitions, clarified that since the matter is under the consideration of the Supreme Court, no orders will be passed by it for the time being.

    It then posted the pleas to May 4 for further hearing.