Relevance: GS II (Governance & Health Policy) | Source: THe Hindu

1. What is the News?

• The SC Order: The Supreme Court has asked the government to urgently create a “no-fault compensation policy” for citizens who suffered severe side effects or died after taking the COVID-19 vaccine.

2. The Adverse Impact of the COVID Vaccine

• The Rare Side Effects (AEFI): India safely administered over 220 crore vaccine doses. However, there was a rare adverse impact of the COVID vaccine on some people, medically called AEFI (Adverse Events Following Immunisation).
• The Data: Officially, around 92,114 adverse events and 1,171 deaths were recorded.

3. What is a ‘No-Fault’ Policy?

• Fast Relief: Normally, victims must fight long court cases to prove a doctor or vaccine company made a mistake. Under a ‘no-fault’ policy, affected families receive immediate financial help without having to prove anyone’s fault.

4. Why is it the Government’s Duty?

• Welfare State (Article 21): Citizens took the vaccine for the country’s collective safety. The Court noted that under the Right to Life and Health, the government has a moral duty to support the few who suffered individual harm.

UPSC Value Box

With reference to public health policies and constitutional rights in India, consider the following statements:

1. Under a “no-fault compensation policy” for vaccines, a patient must legally prove the negligence of the medical staff to receive financial relief.
2. Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFI) refers to any unexpected medical occurrence that follows immunization, whether it is caused by the vaccine or not.
3. The Supreme Court of India has interpreted the ‘Right to Health’ as an intrinsic part of the Right to Life under Article 21 of the Constitution.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (c)