Gujarat high court insists on prioritising those waiting for second jab

AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat high court on Wednesday insisted that the state government should give priority in vaccination to those people who are waiting for their second dose even as it is facing acute shortage of Covid-19 vaccines.
When advocate general Kamal Trivedi apprised the division bench about the “plight” of the state government in procuring vaccines, Justice Bhargav Karia pointed out that nearly 89 lakh people have been administered first dose and the second dose was given to only 28 lakh people. “This is very shocking. Why?” he inquired and suggested that the government should identify such people and call them for vaccination instead of waiting for them to come on their own. The court also suggested that the state government can coordinate with the Centre for vaccination of the population who is above 60 years.

The judges inquired about the expanding time gap between two doses of Covishield from four weeks to12 to16 weeks, and said that people get an impression that the decision is forced due to shortage of vaccine stock. The state government and the Centre made it clear that the gap was changed on basis of scientific evidence.
When the HC inquired about the delivery of vaccine that has already been ordered, the government submitted that it has placed an order of 3 crore doses before two manufacturers – Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech. It said that the state has to procure for vaccinating population between age group18-44, and 6.5 crore doses are required. Though the state government was ready to pay in advance, the manufacturer refused to accept entire order and insisted that the government should wait for other manufacturers like Dr Reddy’s for Sputnik V and Zydus to is developing a vaccine.
It was also submitted that manufacturers said they are unable to ensure consistent supply and hence do not assure delivery. They are issuing 1 to 3 lakh doses daily. On hearing this, Justice Bela Trivedi said, “Then there is no point in placing orders. When you place an order an do not get delivery. What is the point?”