A day before the second nationwide vaccine dry run scheduled on Friday, the Centre asked the States and UTs to remain prepared to receive the first supply of Covid-19 vaccines shortly. 41 destinations across India have been finalised for the delivery of Covid-19 vaccines.
A battery of 1,70,000 vaccinators and 3,00,000 vaccination team members have been trained to administer the doses, once the date for mega vaccination drive is announced, which is likely to be any time soon.
The Centre has also drawn up a detailed draft for the air transportation of Covid-19 vaccines and their movement across different parts of the country. “For vaccine transportation across the country, a common draft has been made and shared with stakeholders. The transportation of vaccines is likely to begin by today or tomorrow,” said sources in the Union Health Ministry.
Pune had been chosen as the central hub for Covid-19 vaccine distribution where passenger aircraft will be permitted to transport doses in the hold of the carrier. The Centre has formed mini-hubs across the country for the transportation of the vaccine and a total of 41 destinations (airports) have been finalised for their delivery, the sources said.
For North India, Delhi and Karnal will be the mini-hubs. While Kolkata and Guwahati have been chosen as mini-hubs for the eastern part of the country and Chennai and Hyderabad are the designated points for the southern region.
Meanwhile, Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on Thursday in a meeting with the Health Ministers of all States and Union territories (UTs) said that coronavirus vaccines -- Covishield and Covaxin -- are on the verge of being available in the country. “Our efforts are to ensure seamless last-mile delivery of the vaccine,” he added.
He urged the States to be prepared and stop any misinformation campaigns.
“In a massive country-wide exercise, another mock drill on Covid-19 vaccine administration to be conducted in all States & UTs on January 8, 2021. Around 1.7 lakh vaccinators & 3 lakh vaccination team members trained in vaccine administration,” the Minister tweeted.
In a communique, the Ministry said vaccine will be supplied to the identified consignee points of 19 States and Union Territories -- Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal -- by the supplier.
The vaccine for remaining 18 States and Union territories -- Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Dadar and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Puducherry, Sikkim, Tripura and Uttarakhand -- will be received from their respective Government medical store depots.
“All the States and UTs are likely to receive the first supply of Covid-19 vaccine shortly.
“In this regard, you are requested to ensure the advance preparation and readiness for the acceptance of forthcoming supply of the vaccine,” Dr Pradeep Halder, adviser, Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) in the Health Ministry, said in the letter.