The Delhi High Court on Friday refused to pass any direction in plea for vaccination of pregnant women against COVID-19 on priority after the Central government stated that the issue was already under consideration (Priyali Sur vs UOI). .Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma and standing counsel Anurag Ahluwalia informed a Bench of Justice Amit Bansal that several recommendations have already been made by National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) on the aspect of vaccination of pregnant women and the same have been forwarded to the National Vaccine Advisory Committee. .The Court was hearing a petition filed by a woman who is in the advanced stage of pregnancy. .The petitioner, through advocate Vasudha Zutshi, inter alia sought a direction to the Central government to issue an advisory for vaccination of pregnant women on priority basis. .ASG Sharma opposed the plea stating that such decisions should be left to the experts. .The Court also clarified that it would not pass any direction on implementation of the recommendations. .Ahluwalia took the Court through the minutes of the NTAGI meeting wherein it was suggested that vaccination could be offered to pregnant women at nearest centers after informing them about the risks and benefits associated with the same. .Other recommendations included having studies to monitor the impact of the two vaccines- Covishield and Covaxin- on pregnant women. .In view of Centre's submission that it was seized of the issue, the Court opined, "No further orders are required.".The Court nonetheless asked the counsel to share the NTAGI recommendations with the petitioner.
The Delhi High Court on Friday refused to pass any direction in plea for vaccination of pregnant women against COVID-19 on priority after the Central government stated that the issue was already under consideration (Priyali Sur vs UOI). .Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma and standing counsel Anurag Ahluwalia informed a Bench of Justice Amit Bansal that several recommendations have already been made by National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) on the aspect of vaccination of pregnant women and the same have been forwarded to the National Vaccine Advisory Committee. .The Court was hearing a petition filed by a woman who is in the advanced stage of pregnancy. .The petitioner, through advocate Vasudha Zutshi, inter alia sought a direction to the Central government to issue an advisory for vaccination of pregnant women on priority basis. .ASG Sharma opposed the plea stating that such decisions should be left to the experts. .The Court also clarified that it would not pass any direction on implementation of the recommendations. .Ahluwalia took the Court through the minutes of the NTAGI meeting wherein it was suggested that vaccination could be offered to pregnant women at nearest centers after informing them about the risks and benefits associated with the same. .Other recommendations included having studies to monitor the impact of the two vaccines- Covishield and Covaxin- on pregnant women. .In view of Centre's submission that it was seized of the issue, the Court opined, "No further orders are required.".The Court nonetheless asked the counsel to share the NTAGI recommendations with the petitioner.