Instruct officials to support Health Min for COVID vaccine administration: MHA to States

As country is gearing for introduction of COVID-19 vaccine, Union Home Ministry on Monday directed states and union territories to instruct concerned authorities for ir active support to Union Health Ministry "in identification, preparation of database, vaccine delivery, stor, security, shipment & vaccination of beneficiaries". Union Home secretary Ajay Bhalla has written a letter to chief secretaries of all states and UTs in this regard while also apprising that Guidelines for Surveillance, Containment and Caution have been extended to January 31, 2021.

"Government of India has started preparations for ministration and roll out of vaccine for COVID-19. National Expert Group on Vaccine ministration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC) has recommended prioritization of this vaccine during initial phases to Health Care Workers, Front Line Workers, Persons d 50 years and above and those below 50 years of  with comorbidities. States/UTs may instruct concerned authorities for ir active support to Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) in identification, preparation of database, vaccine delivery, stor, security, shipment & vaccination of beneficiaries," letter re.

letter also directs states to keep a strict vigil in view of emergence of new variant of Coronavirus in UK which is responsible for surge in COVID-19 cases globally. Also, despite stey decline in number of active cases for past 2-3 months, strict surveillance is required in order to prevent any fresh surge in wake of new year celebrations and ongoing winter season which is favourable for spre of virus, letter said.

 Letter by union home secretary

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Dry run of COVID-19 vaccine

As India is on cusp of introducing COVID-19 vaccines in country, a mock run for iculation of vaccine has commenced on Monday morning across 4 states - Andhra Presh, Assam, Punjab, and Gujarat. dry run is carried out with an aim to identify any possible verse events as it tests  manment and preparedness for ministering COVID-19 vaccine. India aims to vaccinate nearly 30 crore people in first phase of vaccination as three vaccine candidates in India are in final st of clinical trials, including Oxford-Serum Institutes' Covishield which is likely to be first vaccine to be launched in India.

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Six vaccines to be introduced in India

Six vaccines are in fray to be introduced in India to counter threat of COVID-19 - Covaxin, developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with ICMR, ZyCov-D developed by Zydus Cila, Oxford-Serum Institute's Covishield, an mRNA vaccine developed by Genva. Moreover, Sputnik V vaccine of Russia is also being manufactured by Dr Reddy's Lab, Hyderab, in collaboration with Russia's Gamaleya National Centre which will be introduced in India. sixth one manufactured by Biological E Ltd, Hyderab, in collaboration with MIT, USA is also undergoing clinical trials in India.

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