The court was considering a PIL, filed by one Thampi through advocate T Madhavanunni, alleging that school-going children would be forcibly vaccinated against COVID-19 as the Ernakulam District Collector, Jafar Malik, recently decided to conduct vaccination camps in schools.
At the hearing, Government Pleader (GP) Bijoy Chandran, submitted that the intent of the authorities is only to earnestly call upon every parent to have their wards vaccinated before the schools reopen after the summer vacations.
The Court recorded the GP’s submission that no guidelines have been issued for “forcible innoculations” to be carried out.
The Court also stated that it was “interesting” that the petitioner had relied upon the recent judgement of the Supreme Court in Dr Jacob Puliyel vs Union of India in which it held that no one can be forcibly vaccinated.
The Court noted that the same judgement recognises that the decision of the Central government to vaccinate children is in tune with global scientific consensus of expert bodies and that it is beyond the scope of any court to second guess such expert opinion.
Source: Barandbench
