Amid growing talks that India is soon to begin the rolling out of COVID-19 vaccine, the central government recently released guidelines for the distribution of the vaccine once it is available.
As per the new guidelines issued by the central government, the number of people per ‘session’ may increase to 200 depending on the logistics. The Centre also stated that states and union territories will be allowed to fix the days for vaccination. The Health Ministry in the document, “COVID-19 Vaccines Operational Guidelines” said, “Conduct of the vaccination process (will be) similar to the election process,”
“Anticipating that COVID-19 vaccine may soon be available, GoI (Government of India) is preparing for its introduction in the country so that it can be expeditiously rolled out when available.
One of the milestones in this direction has been the constitution of a National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC). The NEGVAC guides on all aspects of COVID-19 vaccine introduction in India,” the Health Ministry stated in a draft SOP.
It also added, “One session for 100 beneficiaries. While most of the healthcare and frontline workers would be vaccinated at fixed session sites, vaccination of other high-risk population may require outreach session sites, and mobile sites and teams.”
WHAT IS THE EXACT PLAN
The COVID-19 vaccine will be first delivered to health care workers (1 crore), frontline workers (2 crore), and people over age of 50 (26 crore).
After this, vaccines will be rolled out to those below 50 years of age who are suffering from a chronic critical illness (1 crore) (for a total of 30 crore people in phase-1 planning).
Based on the voter list prepared in the Lok Sabha elections and assembly elections, people above 50 years of age will be recognised.
After this, the rest of the population will be given the vaccine shot, whenever it is ready for public use, based on the spread and availability of COVID-19.
With three COVID-19 vaccine candidates under active consideration of drug regulator, India is gearing up for its mega vaccination plan to provide the doses to the most vulnerable people in the next six to eight months.
The government has deployed its vast election machinery to administer 60 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccines to 30 crore Indians, via conventional cold chain systems.