Get ready for vaccine rollout, govt tells states

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 30

The Centre today began preparations for the introduction of potential Covid-19 vaccines, asking states to create three-tier mechanism to facilitate the process. In a letter to chief secretaries, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said Covid-19 vaccine introduction would most likely span over a year with multiple groups being included sequentially starting from healthcare workers.

He said the vaccine would initially be available in limited quantities. “It is anticipated that initially the supply of vaccine will be limited in view of huge demand, hence prioritisation of socio-demographic groups will be done for vaccination and subsequently other groups will be included,” states the Health Secretary’s letter. Every state has been asked to set up a steering committee under the chief secretary (must meet every month); state task force under the principal secretary (must meet fortnightly) and district task force under the district magistrate (must meet weekly) to oversee preparation of vaccination priority lists and cold storage facilities.

Active cases below 6L

The country witnessed a record fall in the number of active cases on Friday. The count fell below 6 lakh (5,94,386) for the first time in 85 days. The national recovery rate crossed 91 per cent.