Lekha G –
A pregnant woman has approached the Delhi High Court seeking the Centre to include pregnant women in the Covid-19 vaccination drive on a priority basis.
Advocate Vasudha Zutshi, representing the woman, said the petitioner desired to get vaccinated on a priority basis and also sought the government to issue a fresh notification on the matter.
The Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma and Central Government Standing Counsel Anurag Ahluwalia pointed out that the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) had issued a notification on May 28, which made various recommendations.
The recommendations included that all pregnant women visiting antenatal care may be informed about the risks and benefits associated with the Covid-19 vaccines available in the country.
Further, according to the notification, a pregnant woman can be offered the Covid-19 vaccine anytime during the pregnancy and even all the nursing mothers are eligible for the vaccine any time after delivery.
The Court disposed of the women’s petition on basis of the statement made by the Centre’s Counsel that the government is seized of the issue and that they would take a decision on the same.