COVID-19 Vaccine Encouraged In Public Interest, But Voluntary: Govt to SC
By Ritika Jain The Centre told Supreme Court that while vaccination was strongly encouraged, there was "no legal compulsion" to take the COVID-19 vaccine. More importantly, the health ministry clarified that "the concept of informed consent was inapplicable to the voluntary use of a drug such as a vaccine". The Centre's submissions came on a plea filed by parents who lost both their daughters because of a side effect from the 'Covishield' vaccine. In their plea, the parents sought compensation, a probe into the adverse effects of vaccines and guidelines for early detection and treatment for th...