India Begins Dry Run For Covid-19 Vaccination In All States and UTs Today , Here's All You Need To Know

 India is all geared up for the mega Covid-19 vaccine dry run today. With 17,080 fresh Covid-19 cases, India's Covid-19 toll now stands at 10,303,409. The country's death toll has mounted to 148,719. With 1,935,636 cases, Maharashtra has highest number of Covid-19 cases,followed by Karnataka 918,544,Andhra Pradesh 882,612.

The daily recoveries have outnumbered the daily new cases since the last 33 days successively.The recovery rate has reached nearly 96 per cent.

After successfully conducting the Covid-19 vaccination dry run in four states i.e Andhra Pradesh,Punjab,Assam and Gujarat, a similar mega-drill will be conducted in all states and UTs today. The activity is proposed to be conducted in all states capitals in at least three session sites.

Also Read:Dry Run Covid-19 Vaccination Across India On January 2,2021, Everything You Need To Know

The aim of the dry run is to test the linkages between planning and implementation so that the challenges in the process can be identified.The Co-WIN application,developed to assist in the vaccination drive,will also be tested in this process.

This development comes a day after the government-appointed panel recommended the approval of  Oxford-AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine candidate manufactured by Serum Institute of India. The Drugs Control Authority of India is yet to give its nod.

The Central Government had asked all States and UTs to ensure effective preparedness for the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out.

A concerned medical officer-in-charge will identify 25 test beneficiaries or healthcare workers at each of the three-session sites.Some states will also include districts that are situated in difficult terrain or have poor logistical support.

Each designated vaccine centre will conduct every step of the vaccination process from registering test beneficiaries in Co-WIN database to verifying IDs.The mock drill will include registration,verification,mock vaccination and post-shot observation.

All States and UTs were asked to ensure that the model sites have separate entry and exit in a 'three-room set-up' with adequate space outside for awareness generation activities,display IEC material at these sites and ensure that all SOPs and protocols are being practiced at the identified sites in an ideal environment along with vaccination teams to be identified and trained in all aspects.

The dry run equipped the State and UTs administration in the management of vaccine supply,storage and logistics including cold chain management,the ministry stated.

"Let us attempt to implement it as a real exercise with attention to the minute detail. Proper coordination will go along way in building mutual understanding so that the upcoming vaccination drive may proceed without any glitch",said Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, news agency PTI reported.