Nagpur: The central government has told the Supreme Court that the Union health ministry cannot force an individual to get vaccinated without obtaining one’s consent.
The affidavit was submitted by the Centre to the Supreme Court on January 13 which said, “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 the consent of the concerned individual.”
The affidavit further stated that the Covid-19 vaccination is of larger public interest in view of the ongoing pandemic situation. “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,” it added.
The affidavit came in relation to a petition which was filed by Eluru foundation that seeks to develop a framework to facilitate vaccination of disabled/ specially abled persons. “However, no person can be forced to be vaccinated against their wishes,” it said.
This comes after there are a few states who have mandated vaccine certificates to avail services. Maharashtra has made it mandatory that people who are fully vaccinated can use the service of local trains. Many of the states have made a rule not to give salaries to the government employees who haven’t been vaccinated.
