The Union territory of Puducherry has made it mandatory for all persons to get the COVID-19 vaccine to achieve cent per cent coverage and said those skipping it would face penal action under law.
The Director of Health and Family Welfare Services G. Sriramulu stated this in an order on Saturday night and said it would come into immediate effect. The government has invoked the provisions of the Puducherry Public Health Act, 1973, to implement compulsory vaccination.
also read
- Congress vs DMK 'friendly fight' to take place in 5-6 seats for 2026 Puducherry Assembly elections
- The battle for Puducherry: Seat-sharing talks in NDA, INDIA blocs hang in balance as time runs out
- After Tamil Nadu, now Congress and DMK spar over seats in Puducherry
- 'India must move beyond a Western worldview,' says Sraddhalu Ranade at 2026 Global Spirituality Mahotsav
- Unlocking Sri Aurobindo's five dreams: Highlights from Global Spirituality Mahotsav 2026
“Those skipping the vaccination will face penal action as per provisions of the act,” the director said. A senior health department official, who did not wish to be named, said the decision was taken as the government intended to achieve cent per cent coverage of all eligible people and there should be no room for spread of the virus.
The official said there is a provision in the public health act, which states that in a pandemic situation, certain aggressive measures are required to be taken.
