Kochi: The Kerala High Court has directed the Center to provide the first dose to those who wish to take the second dose after the first dose of the Covishield vaccine, before the presently suggested gap of 84 days. Four weeks after the dose, the second dose should be allowed on the Covin (Covin App) portal. Justice P B Suresh Kumar said that if the central and state governments can allow persons traveling abroad to choose between quicker and better protection from COVID-19, then there is no reason why those people here do not have the same privileges. Can be given to those who want quick security in relation to their employment or education.
In its September 3 order made available on Monday, the High Court said that as per the policy of the Union Health Ministry, people also have the option of getting vaccinated early, for the implementation of which the vaccine is also distributed on a payment basis through private hospitals. being done. “The fourth respondent (Centre) is directed to immediately make necessary provisions in the Co-Vin portal so that people can schedule the second dose of Covishield vaccine after four weeks of the first dose as per the initial protocol,” the court said.
The court passed these directions while allowing the plea of Kitex Garments Ltd, seeking permission to administer the second dose of Covishield vaccine to its employees without waiting for 84 days.
The company, in its petition, said that it has already administered the first dose of the vaccine to more than 5,000 of its workers and has also arranged for the second dose at a cost of about Rs 93 lakh, but due to the existing restrictions, it is difficult to administer it to the workers. He is incapable.
