Here's All You Need To Know About India's COVID-19 Vaccination Dry Run, That Is Being Conducted On January 2

Ahead of the actual vaccination drive against COVID-19, India will conduct a vaccine dry run on Saturday, January 2. The dry run will be done to ensure all steps for the vaccination are tested across states and Union territories. "The dry run will also equip the State and UT administration in the management of vaccine supply, storage, and logistics including cold chain management," the Union health ministry has said.

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The dry run is to be conducted in all state capitals in at least three session sites. However, Maharashtra and Kerala are likely to conduct the dry run in major cities other than their capitals as well. Some states may also include remote districts. On December 28 and 29, a two-day pilot COVID-19 vaccination drive was conducted across eight districts in four states.

Here are some facts about Saturday's vaccination dry run:

1. As stated by the Union health ministry this vaccination dry run aims" to assess operational feasibility in the use of COVID Vaccine Intelligence Network (Co-WIN) application in a field environment, to test the linkages between planning and implementation and to identify the challenges and guide the way forward before actual implementation."

2. During the dry run, 25 test beneficiaries eligible to receive the vaccine will be identified by the concerned medical officer-in-charge at each of the three-session sites. These beneficiaries will be healthcare workers whose date will be uploaded in the Co-WIN app. The test run will help the states and Union Territories to prepare the facilities and test out the Co-WIN application.

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3. The model sites will have separate entry and exit in the three-room set-up – one waiting room, one vaccination room, and an observation room – with adequate space outside for awareness generation activities.

4. According to a Hindustan Times report, nearly 150,000 vaccinators have been trained across 700 districts so far, for the vaccination drive.

5. The states and Union territories have been directed to ensure physical verification of all proposed sites. They must also verify the availability of space, logistical arrangements, internet connectivity, electricity, and safety.

6. A team of four people will be present at the model site during the vaccine dry run. One team member will verify the documents of beneficiaries, another will check their registration, while the third team member will monitor the person and the fourth one will be present to control the crowd.

7. The teams will have a vaccine carrier or a cold box that will be used to transport vaccines at the temperature they are meant to be stored at.

8. An important focus of the dry run will be on the management of any possible adverse events following immunisation (AEFI). The focus will also be on adherence and management of infection control practices at the session site to prevent any virus transmission.

9. The dry run will be monitored with reviews and feedbacks to be prepared at the block and district level. Further, the State Task Force shall review the feedback and share it with the Union health ministry.

10. States and Union territories have also been asked to address the communication challenges before the mock drill.

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Picture Credit: Business Standard