Is carrying a Covid Vaccination Certificate mandatory?

With the rising number of COVID cases in January 2022 and the third wave of COVID-19 on the horizon, many public services/ places like restaurants, malls, and airlines are asking people to carry their vaccination certificates if they want entry.

In response to a petition regarding the same, the central government has clarified that it has not declared any standard operating procedures that make it mandatory for people to carry their vaccination certificates. A Covid Vaccination Certificate (CVC) is a universal government issued-document that assures the beneficiary about the nature of the vaccination received by the patient, their vaccination schedule, etc. 

It has been clarified in an official document detailing the COVID-19 guidelines being followed by the central government that was submitted to the Supreme Court that vaccinations can not be forced on anyone. While the government has launched a ‘vaccination for all’ program and promotes vaccination for all everywhere, it is not yet mandatory for people to get vaccinated or show proof of it anywhere. No one can force any Indian citizen to get vaccinated against their consent. However, vaccination against COVID is promoted heavily as it supports public interest during the ongoing pandemic.

Ever since the innovation of the Covid vaccine in early 2021, the government has been actively promoting it through print and social media platforms. Vaccination against COVID-19 has improved significantly higher resistance against infection from the newer strains of the virus and even reduces the chances of the patient contracting severe symptoms of the disease.

Now you Can Download the Vaccine Certificate Using Pristyn Care App.

Some instances of coercive vaccination being carried out in India are:-

• No vaccine – no ration: In many districts and panchayats, local administrations are barring ration services to people who cannot show proof of vaccination. In many instances, they are also receiving support from the local law enforcement agencies.
• No vaccine – no salary: In some states like Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, etc., employers are paying reduced salaries to unvaccinated employees. This is not limited to the private sector and has been noted only in certain government agencies.
• No vaccine – no business: Many states, including Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Manipur, have passed local ordinances restraining people from running their businesses or barring them from practicing their professions without proof of vaccination.
• No vaccine – no access: Some local governments have passed ordinances banning people from entering public places without showing proof of having at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot. This includes shopping malls, movie theatres, grocery stores, public parks, etc.

Violation of the Fundamental Rights

These measures go directly against the government’s policies and also against the fundamental right that any Indian citizen possesses, as a direct violation of the Right to Privacy. Furthermore, if vaccination is used to prevent anyone from carrying on their trade or profession, then it is also a violation of the Right to livelihood and the Right to carry on trade or profession.

 These violations have largely gone unnoticed and unpunished, mostly because there are no valid laws against or regarding vaccinations. They are also largely unfair to many people as the government has not maintained equitable distribution of vaccines in different states, especially in remote and rural areas. It is also unfair to deduct salaries or bar people from food and rations as the newer strains of the virus have shown to be resistant to the vaccines and have infected vaccinated people as well. 

Now that the central government has revealed strict SOPs regarding vaccination, these violations will hopefully stop, and people will start getting vaccinated by their own choice, not due to unfair laws. 

Ultimately, vaccinations benefit tremendously in the fight against Covid, and the central government is focussing heavily on promoting vaccines so that the entire Indian population will hopefully be vaccinated soon.

Also, Read-
– How to download the COVID-19 vaccine certificate?
– How to request a correction in the vaccine certificate?
– All You Need To Know About Fake Covid Vaccination Certificate?
– How to verify the CoWIN vaccination certificate?
– Vaccination Certificate VS Vaccination Certificate for International Travel? Is it Mandatory?