A person cannot be forced to get vaccinated: Centre tells Supreme Court

New Delhi : The Centre on Sunday told Supreme Court that according to Union Health Ministry's coronavirus guidelines, no individual can be forced to take the vaccine.

On the issue of exempting persons with disabilities from producing vaccination certificates, the Centre told the top court that it has not issued any SOP that makes it mandatory to carry the vaccination certificate for any purpose.

The Centre's response came on an affidavit filed by an NGO Evara Foundation seeking door-to-door, priority COVID-19 vaccination for persons with disabilities.

"It is submitted that the direction and guidelines released by Government of India and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare do not envisage any forcible vaccination without obtaining consent of the concerned individual.

"It is submitted that vaccination for COVID-19 is of larger public interest in view of the ongoing pandemic situation," the affidavit filed by the Union health ministry said.

The only ways used were advise and advertisement of the benefit of taking the coronavirus jabs.

"However, no person can be forced to be vaccinated against their wishes," it said.