In the first phase of Covid-19 vaccination, 93 thousand dozes would be administered to front line warriors including health care workers of the State, Central Government and armed forces, for which 46 sites had been selected all over the State. This was stated by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while presiding over a meeting to review arrangement made for Covid-19 vaccination in the State besides reviewing bird flu surveillance with the Deputy Commissioners of the State.Chief Minister said the State Government has constituted State Level Steering Committee under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary, State Task Force chaired by Secretary Health, District Task Force by concerned Deputy Commissioner and Block Task Force chaired by respective SDM to monitor effective administration of vaccination of Covid-19. He said that State Vaccination Store had been set up at Shimla whereas regional vaccine store had been set up at Mandi and Dharamshala. He said that District Vaccine Stores had been set up in all 12 districts of the State, besides 371 stores in Medical Colleges, block level, CHC and PHCs.Jai Ram Thakur said that tentative vaccine allocation would be calculated for each launch site with additional 10 percent wastage of vaccine. He said that vial once opened would be utilized within four hours. He said that second dose for the beneficiary would be secured –First in First Out with the current allocation. He said that AD syringes in sufficient quantity as per beneficiary has also been received by the State and has been distributed to the districts and additional stock of 0.5 ml AD syringes had been stored at State Vaccine Store, Parimahal, Shimla, Regional Vaccine Store, Mandi and Regional Vaccine Store Dharamshala to meet out any situation.
Chief Minister said that three phases of Dry Run for Covid-19 vaccination had been conducted on 2nd January, 2021 at State Capital, on 8th January in all district headquarters and 11th January in the entire State. He said that Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) management training had been given to the session site vaccinators for establishing referral mechanism and report on COWIN app. He said that AEFI Committees at State and District level had also been notified with additional members of Pulmonologist and Medicine Specialists for casuality assessment of AEFI cases and spokesperson workshop would be held on 13th January.Jai Ram Thakur said that proper Information, Education and Communication (IEC) material must be prepared and provided upto panchayat level to sensitize the people about dos’ and don’ts of this vaccination.Chief Minister also reviewed the situation regarding bird flu with the Deputy Commissioners. He directed them to maintain proper surveillance alongside the reservoirs and also ensure proper disposal of dead birds. He said the State Government had banned import of poultry products from other States in view of bird flu.Additional Chief Secretary Nisha Singh apprised the Chief Minister about situation of bird flu in the State. She said that there has been decline in the cases of bird flu.Managing Director NHRM Dr. Nipun Jindal made a presentation on Covid-19 vaccination in the State.Information and Technology Minister Dr. Ram Lal Markanda, Chief Secretary Anil Khachi, Additional Chief Secretary R.D. Dhiman, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister J.C. Sharma, Secretary Health Amitabh Awasthi and other officers attended the meeting.