The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Centre, Bharat Biotech, SII and others to respond to a plea seeking directions for disclosure of data on clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccines as well as on post-jab cases.
The apex court bench issued notice on the plea, and asked the Centre and others to respond to it within four weeks.
The bench however expressed doubt as it referred to the problem of "vaccine hesitancy" in the country. It asked whether entertaining the petition would not create doubt in the minds of the citizens over vaccines.
Observing that it does not want to get into the scientific decisions taken by the experts, the bench said personal autonomy will have to be balanced with public health.
Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the petitioner said transparency on the issue was needed and disclosure of data would rather clear all the doubts.