The bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Jasmeet Singh informed Court that the two expert bodies National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) and National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19 (NEGVAC) are presently examining scientific evidences on the scheduling of Covid-19 vaccine doses and the need for booster shorts. 

In the short affidavit filed on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, it has been submitted that, "the NTAGI and NEGVAC are deliberating and considering scientific evidences related to dose schedule of Covid-19 vaccines as well as the need and justification of booster doses."

The development came in light of a recent order with regard to the administration of booster dose of Covid-19 vaccine and the timeline within which the same is proposed to be rolled out, if at all necessary to be administered.

The Centre through Central Govt Standing Counsel Anurag Ahluwalia also informed Court that currently even knowledge about the duration of immunity offered by the two vaccine doses is limited and the same will clearly be known over a period of time only, upon the Court stating that foreign countries including the USA and Europe have already permitted and are advocating the administration of a booster dose.

It has been pointed out that level of antibodies in a fully vaccinates person's body also fall with the passage of time and that  this is a matter of concern, in particular for the elderly and ones with co-morbidities.

The Court will continue hearing the matter today.

Cause Title: Rakesh Malhotra vs GNCTD & Ors.