The Supreme Court on Friday questioned the Central government over not following the 'national immunisation programme' policy in the COVID-19 vaccination drive.
This comes as vaccination drive for people above 18 years will commence from May 1. It will include people falling in the age group of 18-44 years.
A Bench headed by Justice DY Chandrachud took note of the difference in the price of the vaccines and said that the differential pricing of vaccine for the Centre, states, and private hospitals is "very disturbing".
It asked the Centre to explain why the COVID-19 vaccine has been priced differently for the states, the private sector, and the Centre.
The Bench also comprising Justices L Nageswara Rao and Ravindra Bhat asked the
Central government as to why it is not buying 100 percent of COVID vaccine doses as it is in the best place to determine equity and disburse.
"Why cannot the government buy all vaccines and proceed on the lines of the national immunisation programme," asked the Bench, adding that the government must consider national immunisation programme for various vaccines and must think of providing free of cost vaccination to all citizens.
It also flagged the concerns about the exclusion of SC/STs, disenfranchised from vaccination coverage.
It further asked the Centre not to leave vaccine pricing to the manufacturers and asked the government how will it ensure equity by private vaccine manufacturers when it is buying only 50 percent of the doses.
"Do not leave it to the manufacturers. How will they determine equity? Invoke your powers to see that additional facilities are created for vaccine manufacturing," the Bench told the Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appearing for the Centre.
The court said that the private manufacturers cannot be left to decide which state should get how much quantity vaccines.
It also observed that AstraZeneca is providing vaccines at a far lower price to the US citizens then why should we be paying so much?
The Bench also noted that medical professionals are reaching a breaking point. "We can not just say they are COVID warriors. Look at how nurses are dying, they play a vital role. It is time we speak about them and express gratitude," it said.
"Use your powers Solicitor General to see whoever is doing more than they should, should be paid more. Why do you want to expose the doctors and no accommodation is available for them why wait for the fourteenth day etc., we need them by our side," the apex court added.
The Bench was hearing suo moto proceedings initiated by it on issues related to oxygen supply, drug supply, and vaccine policy in relation to the COVID-19 situation in the country.
Concluding today's hearing, the Bench said the interim order giving a slew of directions will be dictated today evening and the order will be uploaded on the Supreme Court's website tomorrow morning. It posted the matter for hearing next on May 10.
During the hearing, the top court said there should not be any clampdown on citizens communicating their grievances related to COVID-19 on social media.
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This comes as vaccination drive for people above 18 years will commence from May 1. It will include people falling in the age group of 18-44 years.

'Centre must follow national immunisation programme policy in COVID vacc drive'

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'Centre must follow national immunisation programme policy in COVID vacc drive'

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