In Brief
The Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights petitioned the Supreme Court seeking directives to prioritize COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant women and lactating mothers, including creation of a registry, dedicated vaccination centers, and specific portal features. The Union Government demonstrated that NTAGI and NEGVAC, guided by WHO recommendations, had already approved vaccination for both groups with comprehensive monitoring systems in place. The Court held that medical and policy decisions on vaccine safety fall outside judicial jurisdiction and must remain with expert bodies and the government. While acknowledging the petitioner's suggestions had merit, the Court deferred final policy choices to expert deliberation, rejecting an intervenor's request to halt vaccination based on safety concerns.
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.