TNN
Ludhiana: Ahead of the vaccination drive that is expected to start soon, the health department held a meeting with representatives of major hospitals to train them. The training was attended by representatives of hospitals with staff strength of 100 or more.
Civil surgeon Dr Sukhjivan Kakkar said the training was done in two batches and 25 representatives from qualifying hospitals attended it. They were trained about the vaccination booths to be set up in hospitals.
Health department officials said as the manpower used for making such booths would be from the hospitals, it was necessary to prepare them. “They were trained about how to manage those who have been vaccinated and the post-vaccination measures, including tackling side-effects, if any. They were informed about vaccination officers, vaccinators and observers. They were also asked to maintain social distancing and follow other Covid norms and have separate entry and exits,” said the officials.
The civil surgeon said information, education and communication (IEC) material would be kept in the waiting rooms at the vaccination centres and the hospital representatives were told that the centre should be away from OPDs and the emergency, so that patients don’t intermingle.
Health department officials said though the date for the start of the vaccination process would be known in a day or two, it is expected to begin around January 15. They said around 30,000 healthcare workers would be vaccinated in the first phase, followed by next stage frontline workers, including police and security forces.