The Central government is geared up to roll out the first dry run of COVID-19 vaccination on December 28 and 29 in four states across India, inlcuding Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Punjab.
A statement from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said that each of the states will plan the dry run in two districts and preferably in different (five) session type settings e.g. district hospital, CHC/PHC, urban site, private health facility, rural outreach etc.
According to health officials, the trial run is expected to provide hands-on experience to programme managers at various levels.
“This two-day activity is planned on 28th and 29th December, and will include activities from the necessary data entries in Co-WIN to vaccine receipt and allocation to deployment of team members, mock drill of session sites with test beneficiaries to reporting and evening meeting. This will also include testing for cold storage and transportation arrangements for COVID19 vaccine, management of crowd at the session sites with proper physical distancing,” the statement said.
The ministry said that detailed training modules have been developed for different categories of vaccine handlers and administrators involved in the implementation process at different levels.
“2,360 participants were trained during national level Training of Trainers which comprised state immunization officers, cold chain officers, IEC officials, development partners etc. As on date, the State level trainings had been completed in all States/UTs with participation of more than 7000 district level trainees, except Lakshadweep which will conduct it soon (29th Dec). Cascading down, 681 districts (49,604 trainees) have completed the training of Medical Officers on operational guidelines. Vaccination team trainings have been completed in 1399 out of 17831 blocks/ planning units. It is on going in the other blocks,” the statement said.