Health Ministry issues Covid vaccine guidelines to states

The Union health ministry has sent its operational guidelines to states and Union territories for the distribution of the vaccine against the coronavirus disease as and when it becomes available. Union health minister Harsh Vardhan has said India will look to vaccinate 250-300 million people against Covid-19 in the first phase on priority by July next year.

According to Covid-19 Vaccines Operational Guidelines-

The Covid-19 vaccine will be offered first to healthcare workers, frontline workers and to people above 50 years of age. It will be followed by those younger than 50 years of age with associated comorbidities based on evolving pandemic situation. Finally, the remaining population will be vaccinated based on disease epidemiology and vaccine availability. The priority group of above 50 years may be again subdivided into those above 60 years of age and those between 50 to 60 years of age for purposes of the phasing of the vaccine’s rollout based on the pandemic situation and vaccine availability. 

The latest electoral roll for Lok Sabha and Legislative Assembly election will be used to identify population aged 50 years or more.   Only pre-registered beneficiaries will be vaccinated following the prioritization, with 100 registered beneficiaries vaccinated per session. There will be no on-the-spot vaccination of beneficiaries at the vaccination site.  Covid-19 vaccine will be introduced once all training is completed at the district, block, and planning units.

Serum Institute of India’s CEO Adar Poonawalla has said India’s vaccination drive may begin by January 2021 as his company is hoping to get emergency-use authorisation by December end. Poonawalla said life is likely to become normal by September-October 2021 as by then there will be enough vaccines for everyone.