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The Union Territory of Puducherry has made it mandatory for all persons to get the COVID-19 vaccine with an aim 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 woud come into immediate effect.
The government has invoked the provisions of the Puducherry Public Health Act 1973 to implement compulsory vaccination.
"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 coverge 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.