As medical and research institutions across the country are preparing for the third phase trials of the country’s first indigenously developed COVID-19 vaccine, Covaxin, Uttar Pradesh is gearing and wrapping up a vaccination drive in the state.

This comes in a context when the GOI had asked the states to constitute committees for coordination and overseeing COVID-19 vaccination drive while ensuring that there are minimal disruptions in other routine healthcare services. This direction also stressed early tracking of social media to dispel rumours which could impact the community acceptance of coronavirus vaccine inoculation.

The direction by GOI has stated that the COVID-19 vaccine introduction will span over a year with multiple groups being included. It also added that the drive would begin from health care workers (HCW).

The Health Ministry has also sought constitution of committees at state and district levels which will review preparatory activities in terms of cold chain preparedness, operational planning, strategies for state-specific challenges in terms of geographical terrain and hard-to-reach areas in the last mile reach approach.

In this regard, the UP government has directed all the Districts and chief medical officers to recruit public and private health workers on first priority for vaccination. District health department officers have also been asked to prepare an arrangement of cold chains in all districts for storing the vaccine by December 15. The UP government also stated that in the first phase frontline health workers like doctors and paramedical staff will be vaccinated.

In a letter to states and union territories, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan has suggested the setting up of a state steering committee (SSC) chaired by the chief secretary, a state task force (STF) led by additional Chief Secretary or principal secretary (health), and a district task force (DTF).

Amit Mohan, UP additional chief secretary has stated that the state health and family welfare department has ordered the district administrations and health officers (district) to complete all the preparation for the vaccination before it gets ready for launch. In the state, the third phase trials of Covaxin will be carried out at SGPGI, Lucknow, and BRD Medical College, Gorakhpur. Keeping in context with the large area and population, the state health department has resolved to complete all the preparations by the year-end. To check the spread of the infection, the State Health  and Family Welfare Department (UP) recently launched a ‘16 day focused sample test drive’, across the state.

The author is a student member of Amity centre of Happiness.