Summary
DCPCR sought improved COVID-19 vaccination access and monitoring for pregnant women and lactating mothers. Government affidavits substantially addressed its concerns. The Court directed that three remaining suggestions concerning registration disclosure, targeted tracking and data publication be placed before the relevant expert groups for policy consideration, leaving the final decision to the Union. It declined the intervenor’s request to stop vaccination and disposed of the petition.
Issues
- How the remaining suggestions for vaccination access and monitoring should be considered.
- Whether the Court should direct cessation of vaccination on the intervenor’s asserted safety concerns.
Held
- The remaining proposals concerned optional or required identification at registration, targeted tracking and publication of available data. They raised policy questions requiring domain expertise, including balancing privacy, welfare, safety and dignity, rather than an unaided judicial determination. (¶ 7-11)
- The suggestions were to be placed before the concerned expert groups for deliberation at the appropriate policy stage. The Union could also consult the previously constituted National Task Force and was left to take a considered view. The Court did not order implementation of each proposed measure. (¶ 11-12)
- The intervenor’s claim concerning vaccine risks did not warrant an order stopping vaccination. The Court noted the expert processes described in the government affidavits and declined to make the requested medical policy determination. The asserted risks were not adopted as judicial findings. (¶ 13)
- The petition and pending applications were disposed of on those terms. The order records the position and policy process presented at that time, rather than prescribing a new medical protocol. (¶ 12-14)
Result
Petition disposed of; remaining suggestions referred for expert policy consideration, with the Union’s considered decision left open. No direction issued to stop vaccination.