Himachal devises new vaccination strategy after Centre guidelines
The targeted beneficiaries have been divided into two categories. Under category-A, 45+ years beneficiaries for first dose and those eligible for second dose of Covishield vaccine, all HCWs and FLWs as notified by the Union government (for both doses) and all priority groups notified by the state government (for both doses) have been included. Under category-B the beneficiaries consisting of 18-44 years age group have been included who are not under category-A.
A fixed day approach will be adopted for both categories. For category-A beneficiaries sessions will be held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday (including gazetted holidays). For category-B beneficiaries, sessions will be held on Monday, Tuesdays and Wednesday (including gazetted holidays). No Session will be held on Sundays.
A government spokesperson said that a robust strategy has been put in place in the state to avoid any mixing of beneficiary from June 21 to 30. Under the new vaccination drive, 2.5 lakh doses of Covishield vaccine are being supplied to the state.
He said that the sessions for 18-44 age group beneficiaries falling under category-B will be planned in the rural, tribal and hard areas with the facility of on spot registration. Whereas in urban areas (MC, NAC and Nagar Parishads), sessions will be published with online slot booking mode only.
All the online session in urban areas will be published one day before the proposed session date between 12 pm to 1 pm However, the onsite session can be published even in advance, depending upon the vaccine availability.
The spokesperson said that as per the previous order the deadline for first dose of 45 plus and other categories (HCW, FLW and prioritised groups) is being further extended up to June 30.
The tribal areas (district of Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur and Pangi region of district Chamba) and hard areas (Dodra-Kwar region of district Shimla) will aim at covering their cent percent population with at least first dose (18-44 years and 45+) through on spot sessions, by modality of daily sessions, including Sundays and holidays, if required.
Their session load will depend on target population. The districts have been directed that the target of hundred percent coverage of 18+ eligible population in tribal and hard areas under all circumstances must be achieved by June 25.
A video conference session was held by the secretary (health) with all the CMO's and district immunization officers to discuss the modalities of vaccination strategy to ensure smoothening of this massive vaccination drive, he added.He said that sessions are going to be planned in such a way so that the vaccination drive may be carried out in every part of the state.
