93,000 to be administered Covid vaccine in phase-1 in Himachal

Tribune News Service

Shimla, January 12

In the first phase of Covid-19 vaccination, a total of 93,000 doses would be administered to frontline warriors, including healthcare workers, Central government staff and armed forces, for which 46 sites had been selected all over the state.

This was stated by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while presiding over a meeting to review arrangements made for Covid-19 vaccination in the state, besides reviewing bird flu surveillance with the deputy commissioners. He said the state government had constituted a state-level steering committee under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary, State Task Force chaired by Secretary Health, District Task Force by Deputy Commissioner concerned and Block Task Force chaired by respective SDM to monitor effective administration of vaccination of Covid.

He said a state vaccination store had been set up at Shimla whereas regional vaccine stores had been set up at Mandi and Dharamsala. District vaccine stores had been set up in all 12 districts of the state, besides 371 stores in medical colleges, block level, CHC and PHCs.

Thakur said tentative vaccine allocation would be calculated for each launch site with additional 10 per cent wastage of vaccine. He said vial once opened would be utilised within four hours.

He said AD syringes in sufficient quantities as per beneficiary had been received and distributed. Additional stock of 0.5 ml AD syringes had been stored at State Vaccine Store, Parimahal, Shimla, Regional Vaccine Store, Mandi, and Regional Vaccine Store, Dharamsala, to meet any situation.

He said three phases of dry run for Covid-19 vaccination had been conducted in the state capital and in all district headquarters. Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFI) management training had been given to session site vaccinators for establishing referral mechanism and report on COWIN app.

He said the AEFI committees at state and district levels had also been notified with additional members of pulmonologist and medicine specialists for casualty assessment of AEFI cases and spokesperson workshop would be held on January 13.

Thakur said proper information, education and communication material must be prepared and provided up to panchayat level to sensitise the people about do’s and don’ts of this vaccination.

The Chief Minister also reviewed the situation regarding bird flu with deputy commissioners. He directed them to maintain proper surveillance alongside reservoirs and also ensure proper disposal of dead birds. He said the state government had banned import of poultry products from other states in view of bird flu.

Additional Chief Secretary Nisha Singh apprised the Chief Minister about situation of bird flu in the state.