• Centre says vaccination is not mandatory, Assam forced strict vaccination guidelines

    National
    Centre says vaccination is not mandatory, Assam forced strict vaccination guidelines
    Digital Desk: The Central Government has stated before the Supreme Court that there is no COVID-19 vaccine obligation and that vaccination is not mandatory; it's voluntary. 

    In an affidavit filed on January 13, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said that "no person can be forced to be vaccinated against their wishes".

    It also said that "the Government of India has not issued any SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) which make carrying of vaccination certificate mandatory for any purpose." 

    The covid vaccination is not mandatory: it's voluntary as per Central Government. 

    "It is humbly 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," the ministry said.

    Underlining that "vaccination for Covid-19 is of larger public interest in view of the ongoing pandemic situation", the government said "it is duly advised, advertised and communicated through various print and social media platforms that all citizens should get vaccinated and systems and processes have been designed to facilitate the same. However, no person can be forced to be vaccinated against their wishes."

    The government has developed operational standards for Covid-19 immunisation, according to which "all beneficiaries must be informed about adverse effects that may occur following Covid-19 vaccine," according to the report.

    Also Read: Amid Covid-19, over 10,000 people attended a cow wedding


    However, a completely different scenario can be seen in the state of Assam. According to Assam Government guidelines, unvaccinated people would not be allowed to access or visit public places.






    As per Assam's Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, there will be a curfew-like situation for the unvaccinated people and those who have failed to provide their vaccination proof. People will require to publish their vaccination proof before entering public places like courts, restaurants, offices and other market spaces, among other places.




    "Those not fully vaccinated will not be permitted to enter public places like district courts, hotels, markets, etc. from tomorrow. Assam has no lockdown-like situation yet, but wearing a mask is mandatory," stated CM Sarma.

    The Assam government has issued a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). Under the new SOP, citizens must carry their vaccination certificates to enter public places. 

    The new SOP related to fully vaccinated certificates has been issued to ensure that citizens of the state take both doses.

    "Not fully vaccinated people shall not be allowed entry in public places/spaces (except hospitals) w.e.f. January 15, 2022. All people must carry proof of being fully vaccinated while visiting public places/spaces. The owners of public/private establishments shall ensure that only those fully vaccinated entrants are allowed inside. This has to be done carefully by checking their vaccination status," the SOP read.

    Both the centre and the state have now issued contradictory statements regarding covid vaccination of the people.

    However, covid vaccines do not ensure that the vaccinated person wouldn't be contracting the infection. As per reports, almost 70% of the vaccinated people of West Bengal have contracted the Omicron strain of the virus. The vaccine is just a medium to boost one's immunity and make the person less prone to the virus. 

    Now the question is, will Assam Government change its SOP regarding unvaccinated people and abide by the new affidavit filed by the Central Government?

     

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