Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Wednesday wrote to the District Collectors and Municipal Commissioners on the operational strategy for initiating COVID-19 Vaccination of the elderly population and persons with co-morbidities from March 1.
“The Ministry of Union Health and Family Welfare has communicated that the vaccination of next priority group of elderly population and persons with co-morbidities will be taken up in March 2021, Additional Chief Secretary of Health department, PK Mohapatra, Additional Chief Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Department wrote in a letter.
ACS Mohapatra said: “In view of anticipated high number of beneficiaries, all the public health facilities from tertiary level Medical Colleges and Hospital, Districts Headquarter hospitals, Sub-Divisional Hospitals, CHCs, PHCs, Health and Wellness Centre and Sub-Centres should be prepared for offering COVID-19 Vaccination services.
Operational Strategy:
- Vaccination session will be planned for five days in a week (excluding Sunday).
- Alternate Vaccinators and Verifiers shall be identified and trained for COVID-19 vaccination.
- At least 6 to 7 mobile vaccination teams in each block/Urban Unit shall be formed for conducting sessions at the SC level in a planned manner.
- Health institutions i.e. PHC / UPHC up to Medical Colleges & Hospital shall also be identified as session sites.
- ANM from regular health system shall not be engaged for vaccination as they will provide uninterrupted routine health services.
- Blockwise micro plan shall be prepared for session plan, vaccine and logistic supply, mobility support for vaccination team etc.
- Laptop / Desktop shall be provided at the session sites for updating vaccination status & issue of vaccination certificate.
“It must be ensured that all such facilities shall be mapped to specific Cold Chain Points to maintain effective supply of vaccines & logistics for vaccination. All preparatory activities shall be completed by February 28, 2021,” the Health dept ACS added.
