[COVID-19] State government may not be able to provide second doses of vaccines to all beneficiaries in July, August: Karnataka High Court

The Karnataka High Court on Friday noted that the State government may face a shortage of COVID-19 vaccines for those whose second doses will be due in the months of July and August. .Even though the State government will procure additional doses from the Centre, the same may go to those persons who wish to take their first doses, opined a Division Bench of Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice Suraj Govindaraj. ."The State government's affidavit really indicates that State may face shortage of Covishield for vaccinating those beneficiaries whose second dose in due in July and August. There are over 60 lakh beneficiaries to whom second dose is due in July and August. By August 4, State will get over 41 lakh doses from the Centre, many will go to those who are taking first doses. Even figures of Covaxin indicate that State may not be able to given second doses to all beneficiaries," the Court said. .Come up with rational policy to prioritize second dose of COVID-19 vaccine: Karnataka High Court to State government .When the Court was told that a requisition was made by the State government to the Centre seeking additional number of vaccine doses, it expressed hope that the latter would look into the same..The Court was hearing a case registered suo motu after it received two letters describing the poor hospital facilities for COVID-19 patients in the State..During the hearing, the Court was informed that there were about 11,000 vaccination centres in rural areas and and 6,000 centres in urban areas..On the point of compensation for victims in the Chamarajanagar incident, the Court was apprised that the State government was planning to provide Rs 5 lakh to the families of 13 victims. With regard to the other 11 victims, the Court was told that appropriate directions will be issued for compensation after the commission of inquiry submits its report in the matter. .Back in May, 23 patients, including COVID-19 positive persons, died at a hospital in Chamarajanagar due to shortage of oxygen..Karnataka High Court suggests judicial inquiry into death of 24 patients in Chamarajanagar COVID-19 facility due to lack of oxygen.In one of the earlier hearings, the Court has asked the State government to look into whether families of frontline workers could be vaccinated. To that end, the Court was informed that about 19,000 family members of police personnel have already been vaccinated..During the hearing, Amicus Curiae Vikram Huilgol asked the Court to direct the State to consider vaccinating pregnant women and lactating mothers through Anganawadis. However, the Court in response said that Anganawadis are not yet open..The matter will be next heard on July 28.