Elderly & Differently-Abled People To Be Inoculated In Near To Home Covid Vaccination Centres; Govt Issues Guidelines

All individuals above 60 years of age with no vaccination or first dose vaccination and all people below 60 years with disability due to physical or medical conditions are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination at NHCVC.

Representative Photo

New Delhi: The Central government on Thursday issued guidelines for Near to Home COVID Vaccination Centres (NHCVC) for the elderly and differently-abled citizens in tune with a community-based, flexible and people-centric approach, bringing the vaccination centres nearer to homes.

This came as the Union Health Ministry accepted the recommendations put forth by the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19 (NEGVAC) on the proposal by a Technical Expert Committee.

All individuals above 60 years of age with no vaccination or first dose vaccination and all people below 60 years with disability due to physical or medical conditions are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination at NHCVC.

The recommendations, aimed to ensure vaccination of senior citizens and differently-abled population having limited mobility due to their physical condition, are in response to the need to increase access by bringing vaccination services closer to the community while maintaining all necessary precautions and safety measures, as per the operational guidelines and advisories issued from time to time.

The Union Health Ministry has also communicated the detailed guidelines regarding the same to all states and Union Territories.

READ: Maharashtra Districts With Less Cases May Get Relaxations, Guidelines In Few Days: Health Minister

The guidelines include:

• A community-based approach to be followed where sessions can be conducted in non-health facility-based settings and are nearer to home. For example in a community centre, RWA centre/office, panchayat ghar, school buildings, old age homes etc.
• Based on the cohort of eligible population, the District Task Force (DTF) / Urban Task Force (UTF)will decide the location of NHCVC to maximize the reach of services to the target population, reduce vaccine wastage along with causing minimal impact on the existing health services.
• NHCVC will be linked to an existing Covid Vaccination Centre (CVC) for vaccination purpose. The CVC in-charge will be responsible to provide vaccine, logistics and human resources required for vaccination.
• The site for NHCVC will be pre-identified in collaboration with community groups and Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs). Such sites, which could be at Panchayat Bhawan, Sub-Health Centres and Health and Wellness Centres with availability of adequate space, community halls, RWA premises, polling booths and schools, should have a vaccination room and a waiting area with appropriate access for the target group
• Once identified and verified for meeting CVC criteria, all such sites will be registered on the CoWIN portal as NHCVC.
• The District Task Force (DTF) / Urban Task Force will be responsible for planning and implementation of vaccination at the NHCVC, with full flexibility to adjust the proposed plan as per local circumstances and need.
• Each team at NHCVC will comprise of five members, including a doctor, vaccinator, vaccination officer for Co-WIN registration and/or verification of beneficiary and vaccination 0fficer 2 and 3 for crowd control, assistance to vaccinator. The team will ensure 30 minutes observation of beneficiaries following vaccination for any Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI) and any other support.
• NHCVC can be organized, in a scenario where there is a group of target beneficiaries under one roof like Old Age Home etc., at that site as per the operational guidelines

The Union Health Ministry’s guidelines also include details regarding registration and appointment of beneficiaries - either in advance, on-site or facilitated cohort registration process on Co-WIN, line listing of beneficiaries, identification of NHCVC site and linkage with existing CVC, micro-planning for vaccination sessions at NHCVC, facilitate the travel of elderly and persons with special needs to the session site wherever needed and making the vaccination centre friendly to the elderly and persons with special needs.

All states and Union Territories have been advised to direct the concerned officials to take note of these recommendations and undertake prompt necessary action for their detailed planning and effective implementation under the ongoing National Covid-19 Vaccination drive.