PM Modi suggests COVID vaccine delivery system to be akin to conduct of elections

Oct. 17: A review meeting for the delivery and distribution of a coronavirus vaccine – when one is made available was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday. During the meeting, PM Modi said that every step in the process had to be rigorously tested, and had to include planning for cold storage of vaccine doses, mechanisms to monitor vaccination clinics, and the preparation and stockpiling of ancillary equipment like syringes.

The meeting was attended by Union Health Minister, Harsh Vardhan, Principal Secretary to PM, Member (Health) NITI Aayog, Principal Scientific Advisor, senior scientists, officers of PMO, and other departments of Government of India.

He further directed that we should make use of experience of successful conduct of elections and disaster management in the country. The Prime Minister said that in a similar manner vaccine delivery and administration systems should be put in place. This should involve the participation of States / UTs / District Level functionaries, civil society organisations, volunteers, citizens, and experts from all necessary domains. The Prime Minister further stated that the entire process should have a strong IT backbone and the system should be designed in such a manner so as to have a lasting value to our healthcare system.

India has started identifying around 30 crore priority beneficiaries, including high-risk population and first responders- from healthcare workers to police, sanitation workers as well as the elderly and people with co-morbidities, who will likely receive an estimated 60 crore vaccine doses.