Chhattisgarh: High Court Orders Suspension of Vaccination Drive; Directs State Administration to Revise Phase III Immunization Policy

Raipur: Chhattisgarh commenced its third phase of the vaccination drive as scheduled on May1. However, it only administered the jab to the BPL category of citizens. After several pleas being submitted to the High Court, the state administration has been ordered to dictate a valid rationale on prioritization of the vaccines. Following this, the state has indefinitely suspended all its vaccination centres to avoid further allegations of court.

On Wednesday, Health department deputy secretary Surendra Singh Baghe issued a stay order on the vaccination program in the state. While hearing a Suo Moto cognizance on Tuesday, the High Court issued the order to the collectors. As per the notice issued on April 30, the Health Department is directed to revise its priority scheme and equalize distribution of the vaccine. The High Court said,” The ratio of vaccination in these sections should be determined on the basis of weaker sections, the possibility of spreading infection and the possible number of eligible persons. The state government can take time to revise its policy, until then the immunization program should be suspended.”

 Health department officials said, “the state government has constituted a high-level committee of secretaries under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Amitabh Jain after receiving the high court order.” The Committee will fix the priority ratio in the antyodaya, BPL and APL categories. Based on the decision the government will submit its reply to the government.