Famous, RWA WhatsApp Groups Find Place in Center’s Covid-19 Vaccine Launch Strategy

The 88-page document details information to guide communication activities at the national, state and district levels to allow information about Covid-19 vaccines and the vaccination process to reach all people, in all states of the country.

The four key areas to be addressed as part of the interventions under the strategy are: providing information about COVID-19 vaccines, addressing vaccine vacillation, building enthusiasm for vaccines, and maintaining and maintaining COVID-appropriate behaviors.

It also aims to provide information on potential risks and mitigate unwanted crises during introduction and deployment.

“The communication strategy supporting the launch of Covid-19 vaccines in India seeks to disseminate timely, accurate and transparent information on vaccines to alleviate apprehensions about the vaccine, ensure its acceptance and encourage its acceptance. The strategy will also serve to guide communication activities at the national, state and district levels, so that information on Covid-19 vaccines and the vaccination process reaches all people, in all states of the country, ”it reads in the introduction of the document.

This is how the Center plans to communicate about Covid-19 vaccination:

• In addition to social media, mass media, outdoor media, community groups like gram sabha, school management committee, NSS, Scouts and Guides will be connected for the dissemination of information. Celebrities, politicians, local celebrities, social media influencers will be asked to do massive campaigns for vaccination.
• The ministry will establish a National Cell for Rapid Response to the Media that will verify the facts of news and information related to vaccines.
• WhatsApp community groups, such as school / parent groups, RWA, SHG, etc., will be identified to share factual and official brand messages. “Identify and engage WhatsApp advocates from WhatsApp groups (eg school principals, RWA presidents) who can spread information and counter misinformation,” the document says.
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be contacted to communicate with the Indian missions abroad with all the relevant information about the vaccination campaign.
• The ministry has also identified crises that may arise during the vaccination campaign, including protests / riots as a result of rumors and misinformation, deaths or sudden reactions by AEFI (adverse event post-immunization), pressure from companies, education institutes requesting prioritization, etc. In the document, the ministry has detailed how to address such situations.