Vaccination scenario in State is shocking: HC

It directs State government to get in touch with Centre on vaccine doses

Describing the current COVID-19 situation in State as “shocking to say the least”, the High Court of Karnataka on Thursday directed the State government to immediately get in touch with the Central government in connection with an order already placed with vaccine manufacturers for the supply of 3 crore doses. The court, from the data submitted by the State government, found that there is only 7,76,675 doses of vaccine available in the State even though 65,83,687 people need the second dose as of May 5. Hence, only 7,76,675 persons can be given the second dose, the court observed while emphasising that priority is to be given to those requiring the second dose within the prescribed vaccine schedule. “Thus the scenario about vaccination is, to say the least, is shocking. Only 7,76,675 doses will have to be given to those who have taken first dose and time specified for second dose is likely to expire,” a Special Division, comprising Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice Aravind Kumar, said in its order.