More than 12 million people to receive 2nd dose of Covid vaccine in India: Mansukh Mandaviya

More than 12 million people are due to receive their second vaccine against Covid-19 in India, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Thursday.

Of the total eligible adult population, only 79% received the first dose, while 38% received the second dose, he added.

Mandaviya made the observation during a meeting with the ministers of health of all the states and territories of the Union. He called on ministers to ensure that the entire adult population is covered by the first dose as part of the ongoing mega-vaccination “Har Ghar Dastak”, while those who are to receive the second dose are also motivated.

The minister reiterated the strategies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to strengthen the campaign, including the deployment of “Prachar Toli” in the villages to mobilize and advise the eligible population regarding vaccination as well as awareness campaigns. This would be followed by “Toli Vaccination” which would ensure that all eligible citizens are vaccinated with the first and second doses.

Read | Mandaviya to meet ministers of state on vaccination campaign

“Let us collectively ensure, through collaborative and multi-stakeholder efforts, that no eligible citizen is left without the Covid-19 ‘Suraksha Kawachh’ vaccine in the country. Let us reach out to every household across the country and motivate them. people to take both the doses as part of the Prime Minister’s Har Ghar Dastak campaign, ”Mandaviya said.

Mandaviya focused on multiple vaccination team strategies to ensure 100% coverage in targeted areas within a limited timeframe, developing a ranking mechanism to identify and facilitate vaccination teams who administer the number maximum vaccine doses every 24 hours, use local weekly “bazaars” and “haats” to raise awareness and provide immunization services and collaborate with local religious and community leaders at the meeting.

Multimedia IEC awareness campaigns should be launched to effectively counter anti-vaccine rumors and mimic the innovative approaches and practices followed by high coverage districts in states / UTs for adopting similar strategies to reach the target. .

Noting that children can be the best ambassadors for behavior change, he urged states to engage children to advance the message of comprehensive immunization. “Let children motivate their parents and other family members to take the two doses of the vaccine,” he said.

Mandaviya said the fight against Covid was not over, adding that “the two weapons of vaccination and the appropriate behavior of Covid will be our greatest defense against it and we should not let our guard down until it is completely over. finished. “

Calling the vaccination “Suraksha kawachh”, he reiterated the Prime Minister’s call, “Dawai bhi Kadai bhi!

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