The second Covid 19 vaccination dry run is being held throughout the country today. The massive mock drill is being conducted in 736 districts across 33 States and Union Territories. The objective of this dry run is rehearsal of the actual vaccine administration process. The entire planning of the vaccination drive, including beneficiary registration, microplanning and vaccination at the planned session site, will be tested under the leadership of District Collector or District Magistrate. The dry run will also familiarize the State, District, Block and Hospital level officers on all aspects of COVID-19 vaccination.

 
Our correspondent reports that around one lakh 70 thousand vaccinators and three lakh vaccination team members have been trained on the process to be followed at the vaccination sites. The country’s drugs regulator has approved Covishield and Covaxin for restricted emergency use in the country. The first round of dry run was held across the country on 2nd of January. The exercise is being done to ensure efficient planning and management for vaccine delivery in each district. The second dry run will be held in 736 districts across 33 States and Union Territories except Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. Each district will identify three types of session sites, similar to the previous dry run including a public health facility, private health facility and rural or urban outreach sites.

The Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan yesterday appreciated the tireless efforts being made by the multiple stakeholders including the Central and State government officials and the medical community. The Minister highlighted the unique digital platform, Co-WIN, repurposed from the e-VIN platform that will provide real time information of vaccine stocks, their storage temperature and individualized tracking of beneficiaries of the COVID-19 vaccine.

 
The Minister reassured all his State counterparts that the country’s cold chain infrastructure has been sufficiently upgraded to ensure last mile delivery and that adequate supplies of syringes and other logistics have also been provided for. Dr Harsh Vardhan requested the Health Ministers of all state s and Union Territories to be vigilant against rumours and disinformation campaigns regarding the safety and efficacy of the vaccine.