Covid vaccine for 18+: Prepare field hospitals, Centre directs states

Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan has asked states and UTs to consider setting up field hospitals with help from government research agencies or the private sector as vaccinations will be opened to all above 18 from 1 May.

States can take help from agencies like the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and similar agencies in the private sector to build field hospitals, the government said.

The Centre today released a strategy guide to take India's Phase 3 vaccination drive forward.

With regards to the Phase III Vaccination strategy from 1 May, the states were specifically advised to:

Register additional private COVID Vaccination Centres (CVCs) in mission mode by engaging with private hospitals, hospitals of industrial establishments, Industry Associations, etc., coordinating with designated appropriate authority, mechanism for applications/requests and their processing and monitoring of pendency of registration.

Monitor the number of hospitals that have procured vaccines and have declared stocks and prices on COWIN.

Schedule vaccination for the eligible population for providing adequate visibility of vaccination slots on COWIN.

Prioritize decision regarding direct procurement of vaccines by state/UT government.

Publicize about facility of 'only online registration' for age groups 18-45 years.

Train CVC staff about vaccination, AEFI reporting and management, use of COWIN – training schedule and reconciliation of vaccine stocks have been already provided to private CVCs.

Coordinate with law-and-order authorities for effective crowd management at CVCs.

Regarding infrastructure augmentation for effective clinical treatment of the hospitalized Covid-19 patients, states were advised to review their existing hospital and other Covid treatment infrastructure in view of the daily new case, daily fatality and those that would require hospitalization.

Identify additional dedicated Covid-19 hospitals and prepare field hospital facilities either through DRDO, CSIR or similar agencies in the public and private sector.

Ensure adequacy in terms of oxygen-supported beds, ICU beds and oxygen supplies. Setting up centralized call center-based services for allocation of beds.

Deploy of requisite Human Resources with proper Training & mentoring of doctors and nurses for management of patients and Strengthening ambulance services.

Establish sufficient referral linkages for districts with deficit infrastructure through the deployment of additional ambulances.

Set up centralized call center-based services for allocation of beds.

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