The Center has chosen eight districts in four states to conduct a series of two vaccination trials against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) that begins today.
The states that will witness the two-day trial on December 28-29 are Punjab, Assam, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat.
“The test is being carried out to mobilize all the elements involved in the Covid-19 vaccination campaign that is planned for next year to test the vaccine administration machinery. All the elements, except the vaccine, will be mobilized, ”said a senior official from the union’s ministry of health and family welfare, requesting anonymity.
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Five session sites will likely be established in each district for the purpose of conducting the trial.
“Two districts of each of the four states have been identified to carry out this drill simultaneously in these two days,” confirmed another official from the Ministry of Health, who did not want to be identified either.
The test will include testing for cold storage and vaccine transport arrangements, crowd management at session sites with adequate physical distance, and defining the role of vaccinators and other personnel in vaccine-related roles.
States will focus on checking how potential post-vaccination adverse events will be addressed, as each session site will have a designated health care center for those who feel uncomfortable after vaccination.
States will also verify compliance with infection control practices during vaccination so that the site does not become the zero point of disease transmission.
To monitor and assist in the Covid-19 vaccine delivery process, a multi-level governance mechanism has been established in all states and territories of the union. There are three types of committees: two at the state level and one at the district level. All of these committees have been meeting regularly to map out the ground-level vaccine delivery plan.
Specific training modules have been developed for clinicians, vaccinators, substitute vaccinators, cold chain handlers, supervisors, data managers, Asha coordinators, and all others involved in the implementation process at different levels.
According to current estimates, the Center will use 29,000 cold chain points, 240 cold rooms, 70 cold rooms, 45,000 ice-lined refrigerators, 41,000 freezers and 300 solar refrigerators nationwide for the storage and delivery of vaccines. All equipment has already been provided to states based on their individual requirements.
“This is going to be one of the largest vaccination campaigns, with a lot at stake. It’s important to have all the checks and balances in place before the actual process begins, ”said the first official quoted above.
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