If door-to-door vaccination is possible, don't wait for Centre's nod, court tells Mumbai civic body

Bombay High Court said that Mumbai Municipal Corporation should not wait for people to come for vaccination, rather go to them, particularly for those who cannot step out of their homes due to old age or disabilities.

Mumbai: Mumbai Municipal Corporation on Thursday submitted an affidavit to Bombay High Court that it would start door-to-door vaccination against Covid for senior citizens and those who are unable to go to the vaccination centre after receiving a nod from the Central government.

Mumbai Municipal Corporation assured this during the hearing on a petition regarding a special home vaccination drive for the elderly above 75 years of age and people who cannot go to inoculation centres. The court said that the civic body should not wait for the Centre's nod if it was prepared for door-to-door vaccination.

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The court asked the civic body if it was ready for door-to-door vaccination of the elderly and persons with disabilities.

On this, the civic body said that it can do it if the Centre grants permission.

The petitioner told the court that Behrampur Municipal Corporation started home vaccination. They did not wait for the Centre to grant approval.

The court said that the civic body should not wait for people to come for vaccination, rather go to them, particularly for those who cannot step out of their homes due to old age or disabilities.

The court raised a question about the civic body's readiness and sincere intention to take up such a drive.

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Mumbai advocates Dhruti Kapadia and Kunal Tiwari had filed the petition for the approval of door-to-door Covid vaccination and medical facility for the elderly and persons with disabilities at the earliest.

The petitioners urged the court to give orders to concerned officers to form an emergency policy to make the vaccine available for senior citizens, special people and clinically disabled persons.

They said that the civic body should provide and administer the vaccine to these people at home.

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