Virtually impossible for citizens in Karnataka to get vaccinated unless they are healthcare/frontline workers: Karnataka High Court

Opining that it is virtually impossible for citizens in the State to get their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine unless they fall in the category of frontline workers, the Karnataka High Court on Thursday passed a number of directions. .While hearing the suo motu case registered in view of the COVID-19 situation in the State, the Division Bench of Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice Aravind Kumar observed, "The scenario about the vaccination available is, to say the least, shocking...In short, in the situation that prevails today, it is virtually impossible in the state of Karnataka for citizens to get their first dose of vaccination unless they fall in the category of healthcare workers and frontline workers.".Apart from taking up the issue of vaccination, the Bench also passed the following directions:Available doses of 7,76,675 will have to be given firstly to those beneficiaries who have taken the first dose and who are yet to take the second dose.Second priority to be given to healthcare workers and frontline workers. State government to immediately submit a requisition to the Central government for supply of required quantity of dosage of vaccine (Age Group 60 and above and 45 years to 59 years with co-morbidities are provided free vaccine by Central government).All the details to be provided by the State government in the requisition. State to also mention the number of beneficiaries who are likely to lose advantage of the first dose if the vaccine is not administered to them immediately. Requisition to be submitted by today and Central government to give its decision in three days. Considering the figures which are set out in the written submissions filed by the State, there is hardly any scope in State today for administering first dose vaccination. We hope and trust that the Central government will consider this critical situation while dealing with the requisition made by the State government.State to evolve a scheme for assisting citizens for getting themselves registered, especially vulnerable sections. If not, very object of vaccination be will frustrated.State to consider undertaking targeted vaccination drives for workers such as crematorium workers, sanitation workers etc.State to come out with a scheme for ensuring that COVID-19 does not spread in slums in the city.State government to place on record the decision taken on the issue of food security during lockdown by Monday..During the hearing, Advocate Clifton D'Rozario brought up an intervention application (IA) informing the Bench that there is rapid spread of COVID-19 in the slums of Bengaluru city. He urged the Court to issue directions to the authorities to immediately provide necessary facilities such as testing and vaccination in these areas. .Therefore, the Court, in its order, recorded, "This IA raises an important issue regarding those who are residing in slums of Bengaluru. The counsel states that there are about 1,000 slums in the city of Bengaluru and a large percentage of population is occupying the slums. We direct the State government to file written submissions/objections dealing with this IA and also come out with a scheme for ensuring that covid-19 does not spread in slums in the city.".In an attempt to increase the number of beds for COVID-19 patients in the State, Advocate Sreenidhi appearing for Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) submitted,"Chief Commissioner is on a war footing, of making available oxygen in ward levels. We are going to ward levels to find out now how many hospitals have how much oxygen and how much is needed. We are now taking over 12 maternity hospitals with 233 oxygenated beds. We are also in all government hospitals adding additional 100 oxygenated beds.".The Court proceeded to direct the BBMP to place on record all steps taken by it on the next date of hearing.The matter will be next heard on May 11. .Buffer oxygen stock might have averted Chamarajanagar tragedy: Karnataka High Court.[Read a live account of today's hearing as it happened]