Naina Mishra

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 16

In line with the Centre’s directions, the UT has decided to vaccinate at least 100 beneficiaries per session. The number may increase depending upon need.

The Administration has earmarked Government Multi-Specialty Hospital, Sector 16, the Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, and all civil hospitals as the vaccination sites. The sites will have separate entry and exit points.

At the vaccination sites, only pre-registered beneficiaries will be vaccinated and there will be no provision for on-the-spot registrations. The Covid vaccine intelligence network (Co-WIN) system, a digitalised platform, will be used to track the enlisted beneficiaries for vaccination on a real-time basis.

Dr Amandeep Kaur Kang, Director, Health Services, Chandigarh, said: “If need arises, we will increase the number of vaccinators at session sites. Initially, the number of beneficiaries to be vaccinated will remain 100 per session.”

The advisory on Covid-19 vaccine sent by the Centre states that all measures should be taken to avoid exposing the vaccine carriers, vaccine vials or ice packs to direct sunlight. Vaccines and diluents should be kept inside the carrier with a closed lid until a beneficiary comes to a centre for vaccination.

“There may not be vaccine vial monitors and date of expiry on the label of a Covid-19 vaccine. However, this should not discourage vaccinators from using the vaccine. At the end of the session, the vaccine carrier with all ice packs and unopened vaccine vials should be sent back to the distributing cold chain point,” reads the advisory

“The latest electoral roll for Lok Sabha and legislative assembly election will be used to identify the population aged 50 years or more,” the Centre’s guidelines stated.

Five-member vaccination team

Vaccinator officer 1 Doctors (MBBS/BDS), staff nurse, Pharmacist, Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) and Lady Health Assistant (LHV); anyone legally authorised to give injection may be considered as a potential vaccinator

Vaccination officer 2 At least one person who will check the registration status of the beneficiary at the entry point and ensure guarded entry to the vaccination session.

Vaccination officer 3 Verifier who will authenticate/verify the identification documents

Vaccination officer 4 & 5 Two support staff, who will be responsible for crowd management, IEC/communication and support to vaccinator