Only about 65% of the eligible Indian population above the age of 18 has completed both doses of the COVID-19 vaccination. With the third wave setting in, many governments announced different kinds of punitive measures for not having completed vaccines. In Kerala, the state will not provide free treatment for those not vaccinated fully. Some states such as Delhi and Maharashtra have made it compulsory for government employees to be vaccinated. In Haryana entry into banks, malls, and other public places is not allowed if you are not fully vaccinated. In the past, we have had local governments announce stopping of ration, or other social security measures.

Do such measures work? The question becomes even more important as the government announced vaccination for teenagers between the age of 15-18 and an additional protective dose for health workers and senior citizens.

Suno India’s Menaka Rao spoke to Dr Sunita Sheel Bandewar and Dr Prabir Chatterjee. Sunita is one of the working editors of the Indian Journal of Medical Ethics and an independent researcher in the area of bioethics and global health. Dr Chatterjee is a senior public health professional and was director of State Health Resource Centre, a technical support institute for the state’s health ministry.

Show notes

Press briefing on the actions taken, preparedness and updates on COVID-19, Dated: 05.01.2022
No free Covid treatment to unvaccinated, says Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan | Thiruvananthapuram News – Times of India
Data | India falls short of December 31 vaccination target – The Hindu
AEFI Reports | Ministry of Health and Family Welfare | GOI

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Why forcing people to take vaccines doesn't work