COVID-19: Know How Different States Are Planning Vaccination Strategies

New Delhi: Amid a downward trend in COVID-19 active cases and surge in recoveries in the country, states and union territories (UTs) are gearing up to inoculate their people once a vaccine is approved by the Centre.

Here is a look at how different states are preparing for vaccinating their residents:

Odisha

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has said the state is ready with complete database and logistics for vaccination against COVID-19 which is likely to start in the country soon.

The CM added that since the vaccination process is likely to take over a year, people must follow all government protocols sincerely.

Odisha is yet to formally announce a vaccination strategy, but government officials maintained that it will be in line with the protocols issued by the Centre.

Haryana

The Haryana government has written to the Centre to have public representatives including MLAs and MPs listed among the priority groups for vaccination once it begins.

Health Minister Anil Vij has said the government was making all preparations such as building a database of priority groups, cold chain infrastructure and training of vaccinators for rolling out the COVID-19 vaccine, Hindustan Times reported.

Kerala

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has announced that COVID-19 vaccines will be given free of cost to the Kerala’s population, adding that the government will take care of all expenses.

Vijayan also pointed out that vaccines would be first administered to the frontline health workers.

Telangana

The state government has formed committees at the state, district and mandal levels for planning and executing the distribution of vaccines with first priority given to high risk groups followed by other people.

According to a government order, the committees would also undertake a structured review of all factors related to the preparedness and implementation of vaccines.

Uttar Pradesh

The UP government has started training vaccinators for injected vaccine doses before the vaccine is available. Two batches from the state had participated in an online session ‘training-of-trainers’, which was conducted by the Union Health Ministry.

The state will have 35,000 vaccination centres and vaccinators will record the data of people who are administered doses on an online platform.

Chandigarh

While the Chandigarh administration is already identifying healthcare workers for vaccination, residents willing to receive doses will have to register in advance on the CoWin-20 mobile app.

The UT’s health department would be giving doses to healthcare workers first, followed by people over 50 years of age and those having comorbidities.

Maharashtra

Being one of the worst-hit states from COVID-19, the Maharashtra government is preparing to vaccinate over 30 million residents over three phases in six months.

The first phase will be focused on administering doses to health care workers. Frontline workers would be vaccinated in the second phase while people above the age of 50 and having comorbidities will be given vaccine shots in the third and final phase.