SC asks Centre to provide complete data on anti-COVID-19 vaccines purchase history

New Delhi, Jun 2 (Bureau) The Supreme Court has sought the complete updated data on the government’s purchase history of all the COVID-19 vaccines including Covaxin, Covishield, and Sputnik V. In the suo motu case order dated May 31, a bench of Justices DY Chandrachud, L Nageswara Rao, and S Ravindra Bhat asked the central government to produce data on the percentage of the population that has been vaccinated with one dose and both doses, as against eligible persons in the first three phases of the vaccination drive. The top court also directed to furnish an outline for how and when the government seeks to vaccinate the remaining population in phases 1, 2, and 3.

It has also sought the steps being taken by the central government to ensure drug availability for the fungal infection ‘mucormycosis.’ The court asked the Centre to file an affidavit in this regard within two weeks. In an earlier affidavit, the Centre had informed the apex court that all State Governments have announced free vaccination. “It is important that individual State/UT Governments confirm/deny this position before this Court”, the order said directing them to file affidavits to put on record their policies on vaccination. The court will consider the matter next on June 30.