Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Dr P K Misra, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister, chaired a high level review meeting by video conference on March 9, 2021, to review the status and progress of COVID vaccination across States and UTs.
The meeting was attended by Chief Secretaries and the officers involved in the vaccination effort in the States/UTs, Secretaries to the Government of India from Ministries/ Department of Health, Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology, Health Research, Member (Health), NITI Aayog, and CEO (NHA), were also present during the high level review meeting.
Union Health Secretary apprised the meeting on India achieving the landmark of administering more than 20 lakh doses in a single day. The country is approaching 2.5 crore total vaccination coverage powered by the fastest recent growth in vaccination globally.
The Principal Secretary to PM commended all officials across the Central and State governments for their critical role in the successful rollout of the world’s largest vaccination drive. He also reinforced the need to continue this momentum in a sustained manner, according to a PIB release.
Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba advised the States to ramp up the speed of vaccination, to cover as many eligible people as possible, in as short a duration as possible; especially given the large population to be covered. States were asked to prepare a detailed roadmap for the next three months for achieving the same.
Chief Secretaries/ Senior officials of the States and UTs briefed about the progress of vaccination in their respective jurisdictions, giving valuable feedback and suggestions.
It was reiterated that there is no shortage of vaccine doses in any State and UT. All States were advised to register and activate all private facilities and also provide sufficient stock of vaccine to the private facilities for 15-28 days so that these facilities can offer online open slots to citizens. Visibility of more open slots not only assures the citizens about the services but also helps avoid overcrowding on account of perceived scarcity in absence of clear visibility of vaccination slots.
States and UTs were particularly urged to leverage the private sector to the maximum to enhance coverage, taking advantage of the liberal enabling guidelines issued by the Centre; registering and activating as many private facilities as possible, providing sufficient stock of vaccine necessary for these centres to work at their optimum and providing any other facilitation required.
The Principal Secretary to PM concluded by asking all the senior officials to work through a scientific, evidence-based, micro-planned, area-specific approach to ensure convenient and safe vaccination for all in a rapid yet sustained manner.