Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in the country, the Indian Medical Association has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggesting that vaccination be allowed for all people above the age of 18 years.
The daily rise in new coronavirus infections in India remained above 90,000 for the third consecutive day on Tuesday taking the nationwide COVID-19 tally of cases to 1,26,86,049, according to the Union Health Ministry. The country had a day ago reported 1,03,558 new cases.
"At present, we are vaccinating the population above 45 years. In view of the rapid spread of the second wave of the disease, we suggest that our vaccination strategy be geared up with immediate effect and on war footing," the Indian Medical Association (IMA) said in its letter to the prime minister.
The doctors' body said that "we request following suggestions in the COVID-19 vaccination drive -- all citizens above 18 years of age shall be permitted to receive COVID vaccination and walk-in COVID vaccination should be available for all, free of cost at their nearest possible place".
The IMA also suggested that private sector family clinics should be included actively in the vaccination drive along with private hospitals.
Making vaccination certificate mandatory for entering public places and receiving products under the public distribution system, was also part of the suggestions made by the association.
The IMA stated that the pandemic's second wave surge is reaching record highs and added that "vaccination against COVID-19 stands as a single evidence-based resource for us to restrict cases by raising the personal immune response and pave the way for herd immunity to decrease the severity of the disease".
It said that the availability of vaccination with all doctors and family physicians will have a positive impact on the inoculation drive.
District level vaccine task force teams should be constituted with public and private participation to enforce mass vaccination, to monitor and mitigate adverse drug events and to build confidence, the IMA suggested and added that it is willing to actively take part in it.
The doctors' body said that in view of rising cases and as a measure to break the transmission chain, "limited period continuous lockdowns" should be implemented, "especially for all non-essential areas like cinemas, cultural and religious events, sports, etc."
"Indian Medical Association assures and places its proactive support of its entire manpower and infrastructure facilities for rapid vaccination and stands with the government during this hour of crisis," it said.
The daily rise in new coronavirus infections in India remained above 90,000 for the third consecutive day on Tuesday taking the nationwide COVID-19 tally of cases to 1,26,86,049, according to the Union Health Ministry. The country had a day ago reported 1,03,558 new cases.
"At present, we are vaccinating the population above 45 years. In view of the rapid spread of the second wave of the disease, we suggest that our vaccination strategy be geared up with immediate effect and on war footing," the Indian Medical Association (IMA) said in its letter to the prime minister.
The doctors' body said that "we request following suggestions in the COVID-19 vaccination drive -- all citizens above 18 years of age shall be permitted to receive COVID vaccination and walk-in COVID vaccination should be available for all, free of cost at their nearest possible place".
The IMA also suggested that private sector family clinics should be included actively in the vaccination drive along with private hospitals.
Making vaccination certificate mandatory for entering public places and receiving products under the public distribution system, was also part of the suggestions made by the association.
The IMA stated that the pandemic's second wave surge is reaching record highs and added that "vaccination against COVID-19 stands as a single evidence-based resource for us to restrict cases by raising the personal immune response and pave the way for herd immunity to decrease the severity of the disease".
It said that the availability of vaccination with all doctors and family physicians will have a positive impact on the inoculation drive.
District level vaccine task force teams should be constituted with public and private participation to enforce mass vaccination, to monitor and mitigate adverse drug events and to build confidence, the IMA suggested and added that it is willing to actively take part in it.
The doctors' body said that in view of rising cases and as a measure to break the transmission chain, "limited period continuous lockdowns" should be implemented, "especially for all non-essential areas like cinemas, cultural and religious events, sports, etc."
"Indian Medical Association assures and places its proactive support of its entire manpower and infrastructure facilities for rapid vaccination and stands with the government during this hour of crisis," it said.
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12 Comments on this Story
 | Suresh Kamath11 hours ago IMA suddenly WOKE up to the REALITY and DREAMT about CLAIM to Vaccinate ALL above 18 years and did NOT bother to understand the SUPPLY side and also of LOGISTICS to arrange to remotest AREAS with Trained Persons to Vaccinate these POPULATION and shield them against ALL Covid-19 Virus. Govt Officials surely would have to Plan and Execute this UNIQUE MARATHON Vaccine Drive without any PARALLEL in the WORLD and PEOPLE would have to be cooperate with the Authority for Covid Vaccines and help ERADICATE this Virus sooner. Jai Hind Jai Jawan Jai Sri Ram Vande Mataram |
 | Sampath Kumar Ramnath Kumar11 hours ago Good suggestion. This is the trouble with a head that does not listen to experts. Why don't we source all the approved vaccines around the world and accelerate local manufacture and approvals. We can't be ostrich like at this stage. There is something rotten in our system. Even God will not help with this indifference and rallies, melas, all around. Wake up powers. |
| achan kunju11 hours ago I am staying in my village Kerala, a thickly populated states . I think many of our villagers especially in other states are not having the problem, and they can safely keep distancing norms with out any problem case is severe in cities, so take action accordingly |