Hansal Mehta's Tweet About Son With Down Syndrome & COVID Vaccine Eligibility Kickstarts Debate

Indian government's recent statement that COVID vaccination?will be provided to those "who need it" and not "want it" has kickstarted a debate on social media.

Taking to Twitter, Mehta shared a photo of his 25-year-old son and wrote, "My son Pallava is 25 years old. He has Downs Syndrome. He has suffered from a near-fatal respiratory failure a few years ago. Does he want the vaccine or does he need it?"

While some people came out to help him, there were others who accused him of choosing politics over his son.?

A Twitter user wrote, "Dear Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maharashtra and Mr. @mehtahansal Pallava was eleigible for vaccination in the very first round when it all started as ‘Down Syndrome’ is a disease lowering the immunity and all such cases were included. But bete ki life ya (son’s life or) politics. Tough one."

In response, Hansal Mehta asked the user to "do some research" before "trolling" him.

"Downs Syndrome is not a disease. Do some research. Take some time off from trolling. And understand the context of my question first before providing your parroted answers," he wrote.

Another user tweeted to Dr Kafeel Khan and said, "Any suggestions sir.....??"

Dr Kafeel Khan responded, "He would need it. But before giving shot have to evaluate other co-morbidity which are common with Down ‘S like cardiac."

Another user wrote, "It is Pallava’s basic right and he should have access to the vaccine. Sad that Health Ministry continues to live in denial."

Meanwhile, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and chief ministers of several states have appealed to the central government to open vaccination for all people above 18.?