Kerala High Court, on Tuesday, directed the Central government to allow scheduling of the second dose of Covishield COVID-19 vaccine on CoWin portal for the people who are willing to pay for it.
Justice PB Suresh Kumar ruled out that it was a matter of choice for the citizen to choose between late and early vaccination if they were willing to pay for it.
HC ordered the same while hearing a writ petition mentioning Kitex Company. It purchased the Covishield doses for its workers. However, they could not be administered as the Centre insisted on the interval of 12-16 weeks and registration for the same on the CoWin portal.
If the government can permit persons who are intending to travel abroad to exercise a choice between early protection and better protection from COVID-19 infection, there is absolutely no reason why the same privilege shall not be extended to others who want early protection in connection with their employment, education etc, the court order read.
However, the court mentioned that it did not consider the same order for the Centre’s free nationwide vaccination program.