COVID-19 Vaccines Operational Guidelines
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), which has spread rapidly throughout the world. In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. The pandemic has severely ravaged health systems, and economic and social progress globally.
In India, 96,06,810 confirmed COVID-19 cases and over 1,39,700 deaths have been reported as of 4 December 2020.1 COVID-19 most commonly manifests as fever, dry cough, shortness of breath and tiredness. Most people (~80%) experience mild disease and recover without hospitalization, while around 20% may become more seriously ill.
One of the milestones in this direction has been the constitution of a National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC). The NEGVAC will guide all aspects of the COVID-19 vaccine
introduction in India.
COVID-19 vaccine will be offered first to healthcare workers, frontline workers and population above 50 years of age, followed by population below 50 years of age with associated comorbidities based on the evolving pandemic situation, and finally to the remaining population based on the disease epidemiology and vaccine availability. The priority group of above 50 years may be further subdivided into those above 60 years of age and those between 50 to 60 years of age for the phasing of roll out based on pandemic situation and vaccine availability. The latest electoral roll for the Lok Sabha and Legislative Assembly election will be used to identify the population aged 50 years or more.
The vaccination team will consist of five members as follows:
- Vaccinator Officer–Doctors (MBBS/BDS), staff nurse, pharmacist, auxiliary nurse midwife (ANM), lady health visitor (LHV); anyone authorized to administer an injection may be considered as a potential vaccinator;
- Vaccination Officer 1: At least one person (Police, home guard, civil defense, national cadet corps (NCC), national service scheme (NSS), endr yuva kendra sangathan (NYKS) who will check the registration status of a beneficiary at the entry point and ensure the regulated entry to the vaccination session;
- Vaccination Officer 2: Is the verifier who will authenticate/verify the identification documents; and
- Vaccination Officer 3 & 4: are the two-support staff who will be responsible for crowd management
and ensure 30 minutes of waiting time by beneficiary post-vaccination. Support staff will provide
information, education and communication (IEC) messages and support to vaccinator as well as
the vaccination team.
For more details download the COVID-19 Vaccines Operational Guidelines in PDF format using the link given below or an alternative link for more details.
