Vaccine dry run in Shimla successful

Tribune News Service

Shimla, January 2

The Covid-19 vaccination dry run at three sites in Shimla was successful today. The government has now decided to conduct a similar drill at all vaccination session sites in the state on January 11.

“The dry run at the DDU Hospital, Tenzin Hospital and a Kasumpti school went off without any hitch. Now, we have written to all Deputy Commissioners and CMOs to prepare for a similar exercise at all session sites in their jurisdiction on January 11,” said NHM Director Nipun Jindal.

As many as 4,313 sites have been identified in the state for vaccination. While 977 are fixed sites in healthcare facilities, the remaining are outreach session sites set up in facilities such as schools.

“Not all of these sites will be used in the first phase of vaccination, but a dry run will be conducted at all sites,” said Jindal.

In the first phase, around one lakh people will be vaccinated. “We have identified around 70,000 health care workers and about 30,000 frontline workers such as policemen for vaccination in the first phase,” said Jindal.

As part of the action plan for the January 11 dry run, Block Task Force (BTF) Committees will be formed on January 5, and vaccine teams on January 6, training of vaccination teams will be done on January 8, pre-inspection of session sites and cold chain points by the BTF Committees on January 10 and the dry run will be conducted on January 11.

Unlike in the dry run held today in which 25 persons were registered at each of the three sites for vaccination, only five beneficiaries would be registered at each site for the January 11 exercise.

1 lakh to be vaccinated

• As many as 4,313 sites have been identified in the state for vaccination
• While 977 are fixed sites in healthcare facilities, the remaining are outreach session sites set up in schools etc
• In the first phase, around one lakh people will be vaccinated
• Around 70,000 health care and 30,000 frontline workers have been identified for vaccination