States have been asked to begin making arrangements to address any coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccine-related side effects as one of the measures for the safe delivery of the vaccine to the masses.
In a letter written to the states, the central government instructed them to prepare to deal with any side effects related to the administration of the Covid-19 vaccine during the mass immunization program planned next year.
The letter dated November 18 from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the Union, seen by HT, says: “… measures should be taken to strengthen the surveillance of Adverse Events After Immunization (AEFI) after Covid vaccines -19 to maintain confidence in the safety of vaccines. MoHF has identified initiatives that are essential to further strengthen India’s existing AEFI Surveillance System to enable full and timely AEFI reporting for Covid-19 vaccination … “
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The letter has been sent by Manohar Agnani, additional secretary of the Ministry of Health.
“We also have to study the possibility of dealing with the side effects related to the vaccine; since people tend to develop a reaction even to drugs that are used for a long time. Even after 20 years or so, side effects of certain drugs are seen, which may also be possible with Covid-19 vaccines, ”said Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an interaction with the heads of all the states and territories of the union on Tuesday.
The center has directed states to strengthen their vaccine steering committees and other subcommittees to lead the delivery of vaccines to the last mile. Medical experts along with pediatricians will be part of the team that will administer the vaccines to control side effects efficiently and without wasting time.
To supervise the administration of vaccines in high-risk groups with chronic diseases, the committees should include doctors from different specialists such as cardiology, neurology, pulmonology, etc.
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The other measures being taken to ensure the successful delivery of the Covid-19 vaccine in the last mile include the development of a list of population groups that will receive the vaccine as a priority in the first phase, the establishment of chain facilities cold storage facilities for storing vaccines, purchasing consumables such as syringes etc., and training vaccinators who will administer the vaccine, etc.
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