Karnataka- Vaccine priority for the differently abled and their caregivers, including provisions for home vaccination.

On 27th April, 2021 the Chief Justice of the High Court of Karnataka recognised that necessary measures are required to be taken to provide priority in attendance and treatment for those who are differently abled. The same such priority must be extended to caregivers to people who are differently abled as well.

Relevant extracts of the said order have been reproduced below-

“a) The State Government shall immediately evolve a scheme/mechanism for giving priority to vaccination of Covid-19 to the persons with benchmark disabilities;

b) The State Government may consider authorising the District Disabled Welfare Officers or any other officers to receive requests for vaccination by SMS, Whatsapp or Email either from the persons suffering from benchmark disability and/or from respective caregivers;

c) The State Government shall make effective arrangements for providing vaccination to the persons with benchmark disabilities and their caregivers by ensuring that they are not required to wait in the queue at vaccination centres;

d) Needless to add that those persons who suffer from benchmark disabilities and who are unable to move out of their respective residences, necessary arrangements will have to be made for vaccination at the doorstep;”