COVID-19 Vaccine: Health Ministry prepares plan of action for priority-based distribution

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Tuesday said that India has recorded a significant decline in number of Coronavirus cases. With high hope to have over 400 to 500 million doses of Coronavirus vaccine in India, Vardhan chaired a meeting with a group of ministers in Delhi to discuss status of cure for viral infection in country as well as internationally.

In meeting, a plan of action focusing on which sections will be given priority was also discussed. Health Minister Vardhan told ANI that distribution of Coronavirus vaccine will be monitored through a scientific approach. 

Dr Harsh Vardhan said, “For this, strategies that have been adopted by world be it Centre for Disease Control, United States are being studied continuously. Digital platforms are also being prepared for same."

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COVID-19 update: Who will first get coronavirus vaccine?

Earlier, All India Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Director Dr Randeep Guleria has said that if everything goes as per plan, COVID-19 vaccine can be expected in India by January 2021. centre has directed head of National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration, Dr VK Paul, to prepare a plan on how vaccine will be distributed in country. According to Paul,  cure will be first distributed to those who need it most. listing of healthcare workers will be completed by end of October or early vember, he added. 

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Health Ministry said, “ eVIN network which can track latest vaccine stock position, temperature at stor facility, geo-tag health centres, and maintain facility-level dashboard is being repurposed for delivery of COVID vaccine."

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In Tuesday's meeting, a detailed study on ' priority sections of populations that would have initial access to vaccine drawing upon recommendations of CDC, USA, and WHO. A total of three candidates who are volunteering for Covaxin trials are at different levels of clinical trials. Covaxin is first indigeus vaccine that is being developed by Bharat Biotech International Limited along with Indian Council of Medical Research and National Institute of Virology. Currently, vaccine is in Phase II human trials in country.

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(With ANI inputs)