A ‘safe and effective’ vaccine against the new coronavirus will soon become a reality in India. Pfizer, Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech have applied for marketing authorization for their vaccines. The vaccination campaign will begin once the country approves the emergency use of any of the candidate vaccines.
Meanwhile, the central government has prepared the plan for the mega vaccination campaign. During the first phase, almost 30 million people will take the hit. This is everything you need to know about the Indian vaccination program.
Who will get the COVID-19 vaccine when it is available?
The COVID-19 vaccine will be offered first to healthcare workers, frontline workers, and people over the age of 50. Depending on the pandemic and its course, people under the age of 50 with associated comorbidities will receive the vaccine. Depending on the epidemiology of the disease and the availability of vaccines, the remaining population will be vaccinated later. Getting vaccinated against the coronavirus will be voluntary, the Ministry of Health previously declared.
The National Group of Experts on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC) recommended that prioritized population groups be specifically vaccinated. Includes: (i) About 1 crore, healthcare workers (TS) healthcare providers and workers in healthcare settings, (ii) around 2 crore frontline workers (PDAs) which includes state police personnel and central, armed forces, volunteer home guards for defense and disaster management, municipal workers, (iii) priority Rs 27 million for the population of the age group over 50 years and people under 50 years with associated comorbidities.
Registration for the COVID-19 vaccine:
The COVID Vaccine Intelligence Network (Co-WIN) system, a digitized platform, will be used to track beneficiaries enlisted for vaccination and coronavirus vaccines in real time. At the vaccination site, only pre-registered beneficiaries will be vaccinated according to prioritization. There will be no provision for field searches.
“The latest electoral roll for the Lok Sabha and the election of the legislative assembly will be used to identify the population aged 50 and over,” the central government recently said.
Twelve photo identity documents, including voter ID, Aadhar card, driver’s license, passport and pension document, will be required for self-registration on the Co-WIN website, he added.
COVID-19 vaccination guidelines:
States have been asked to assign a manufacturer’s vaccine to a district to avoid mixing different COVID-19 vaccines in the field. All measures should be taken to avoid exposing the vaccine carrier, vaccine vials, or ice packs to direct sunlight. guidelines mentioned. “Vaccines and diluents should be kept inside the vaccine container with the lid closed until a recipient arrives at the center for vaccination,” the document says.
“There may be no Vaccine Vial Monitors (VVM) and the expiration date on the COVID-19 vaccine label, this should not deter vaccinators from using the vaccine. At the end of the session, the carrier of the vaccine with all ice packs and unopened Vaccine vials should be shipped back to the cold chain distribution point, “the guidelines stated.
The Union Ministry of Health also committed to “One needle, one syringe, one time only” and prepared guidelines for safer disposal of used injections. The Center directed states to ensure safe injection practices during the largest vaccination program to be carried out in India.
“Always use automatic deactivation (AD) syringes during the COVID-19 vaccination campaign. These syringes prevent person-to-person transmission of bloodborne pathogens. Use a new sterile packaged AD syringe for each injection for each recipient.” , the guidelines set.
(With inputs from agencies)
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