The Union Health Ministry conducted a high-level meeting on Thursday and directed all the states to begin dry run for Covid-19 vaccination from January 2 next year. Earlier a two-day dry run was conducted in four states – Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab and Assam to assess the preparedness of mechanism laid out for vaccination drive to prevent coronavirus. The feedback for the same was reviewed by the joint secretary (Public Health) in a video conference with the state and district programme officers.
The ministry said all the states are satisfied with the operational approach and usage of IT platform in order to ensure transparency and effective monitoring of immunisation processes designed to cover a large number of citizens in the country. The ministry said it had noted the suggestions on IT platform in a bid to better the Co-WIN platform. The ministry added the insights and feedback will operational guidelines and IT platform and strengthen the vaccine roll-out plan once it becomes available.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi said the preparations for the roll-out of the vaccine were almost complete. While laying the foundation stone for All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Gujarat’s Rajkot via video conferencing, the PM urged people to not let their guard down despite the fact that number of cases in the country were decreasing. the prime minister also gave out a new mantra for the year 2021- Davai Bhi, Kadai Bhi.
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The prime minister’s statements came a day after a government appointed panel considered emergency use authorisation requests by three vaccine makers – Serum Institute of India, Bharat Biotech and Pfizer. SII and Bharat biotech presented more data before the panel on Wednesday on efficacy and safety of their vaccines, while Pfizer sought more time for presenting fresh data. The panel will meet again on Friday after analysis of data and take a call on emergency use approval of the three vaccines.