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Tag: Mansukh Mandaviya

  • Decision on COVID vaccination for 5-15 age group to be taken as per experts’ recommendation: Mandaviya

    By PTI

    GANDHINAGAR: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Saturday that the central government will roll out COVID-19 vaccination for children in the age group of 5 to 15 years as soon as it receives recommendation to that effect from a group of experts.

    Mandaviya told this to reporters here when he was asked about the government’s approach towards the vaccination for children in the age group of 5 to 15 years.

    He said the group of experts has so far not made any recommendation on the vaccination of this category.

    The minister was here to take part in a programme organised by the BJP on the Union Budget that was presented on February 1.

    “When to vaccinate and to which age group is decided on the basis of recommendation of a group of scientists. We had implemented its recommendation for the precaution group within one week. We will surely implement its recommendation (for 5 to 15 age group) as and when we receive it,” he said in a press conference.

    The country-wide COVID-19 vaccination of children in 15-18 age group began last month.

    “Today, vaccination is not an issue. We have enough vaccines, there is no shortage of doses. We will definitely follow the recommendation of the scientific community,” Mandaviya added.

    The government has so far not received any such recommendation, and a decision in this regard will be taken in the coming days on that basis.

    It is not a political decision.

    Sero survey and sero prevalence survey in July-August last year showed that 67 per cent children also developed anti-bodies, and children remained asymptomatic, he said.

    “Ultimately, these are biological things. Therefore, scientists study before making recommendations. Earlier we used to follow the world (for recommendations regarding vaccination). Today, our scientists conduct their own analysis, they have their own study, and make opinions based on this,” he said.

    He also said that India used vaccination very effectively to fight the pandemic during its third wave.

    Large-scale vaccination helped India counter the third wave, as attested by top institutes across the world and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the minister added.

    He said 75 per cent of children (15-18 age group) have received their COVID-19 vaccination doses and 96 per cent adults have received the first dose, while 77 per cent have got both the doses.

    The ICMR studies showed that COVID-19 vaccination has helped most of the people, and as a result, the country is moving towards the flattening of the curve, he said, adding, “On the basis of all this, I can certainly say that India has been able to use vaccination very effectively to fight against COVID-19 crisis,” he said.

    He said the government’s emphasis on vaccination during the lockdown in 2020, soon after the outbreak of the virus, helped India sustain its growth and not suffer from high inflation and negative growth like what is seen in the US and Europe.

    Mandaviya said that research on vaccination was taken on priority basis and the government offered funds for it, and by January 16 last year, India’s indigenously-manufactured vaccine was launched along the same time the vaccines developed in other counties.

    “India offered vaccination to the world, and even started manufacturing it at a fast pace. The result was that by the time the third wave (of COVID-19 pandemic) came, we had moved ahead of the world in vaccination. We were saved in the third wave, because India completed 96 per cent of the first dose,” he said.

    Talking on the Union Budget, Mandaviya said it will usher in a golden age for India.

    “I believe its implementation will increase the pace of comprehensive and time-bound development in the right direction,” he said.

  • Vaccine effectiveness of 99.3 per cent seen in fully vaccinated: Mandaviya

    By IANS

    NEW DELHI: Vaccine effectiveness of 99.3 per cent has been seen in individuals fully inoculated against Covid as per the data uploaded on India Covid-19 Tracker till January 2, the Parliament was told on Friday.

    The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has developed the India Covid-19 Vaccine Tracker, by merging mainly three national databases — CoWIN, National Covid-19 Testing database and Covid-19 India portal, Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya told the Lok Sabha in a written reply.

    “The latest data analysed and uploaded till January 2, 2022 depicts vaccine effectiveness of 99.3 per cent in fully vaccinated individuals against Covid-19,” he said, adding that the tracker is updated periodically and displays the effectiveness of partial and full vaccination against Covid-19.

    He said that the Omicron variant is the dominant variant in the country presently. Whole genome sequencing for Omicron variant is done for all RTPCR positive samples from international travellers arriving since November 28, 2021.

    Stressing that the Centre is supporting states in their endeavour to manage Covid-19 since the beginning of the pandemic, Mandaviya said that given the emergence of mutated variants with variable impact on transmissibility, virulence and effectiveness of vaccines, the likelihood of resurgence of Covid-19 trajectory in the country is monitored by various expert committees under ICMR, DGHS and other departments.

  • Mandaviya asks states/UTs to focus more on teleconsultation

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Highlighting the role that teleconsultation has played to serve the people in far-off places as well as Covid patients in home isolation, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday asked the states and the union territories to focus more on such services for better public health management.

    He also said more than the projected requirements of Covid vaccine doses were provided to the states and the UTs to ensure that there is no let-up in the pace of the inoculation drive.

    Stressing the role that teleconsultation and telemedicine have played in the country to serve the far-flung regions and those in home isolation, Mandaviya advised the states to focus on ramping up opening of more teleconsultation centres as part of the ‘Hub and Spoke Model’ for better public health management, a statement issued by the Health Ministry said.

    “The teleconsultation centres will help us not only during the COVID pandemic but also for non-COVID medical care,” he said.

    The minister was speaking after holding a meeting with the states on virtual format.

    Kerala informed the meeting that non-Covid medical care for cancer, diabetes management, mental health etc were also provided through telemedicine centres to those in home isolation who could not access the institutional facilities, the statement said.

    Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, which have shown good progress in eSanjeevani with very large number of tele-consultations, were appreciated for their efforts, it said.

    Mandaviya underlined the importance of sturdy and resilient health infrastructure and the ECRP-II package under which the funds have been provided to states and UTs and said they need to be utilised before March 31.

    “While some states have expedited effective utilisation of the approved funds for health infra creation, other states may also review the physical and financial progress under ECRP-II and expedite the progress,” he said.

    Mandaviya reiterated that the five-fold strategy of ‘Test-Track-Treat-Vaccinate & Adherence to COVID Appropriate Behaviour’ along with effective surveillance of cases remains crucial for COVID-19 management.

    The states and UTs were advised to keep a close watch on the emerging clusters and hotspots.

    Those states which have reported lower share of RTPCR in Covid testing were advised to review the same, the statement said.

    They were also advised that adequate and timely testing will help in prompt identification of the infected cases and prevention of a sudden surge, it said.

    Assuring states of all support from the Centre in their efforts for Covid response and management, the Union health minister urged them to provide data on time as it will lead to more sturdy and efficient policymaking.

    Union Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar encouraged the states to fully utilise the ECRP-II funds.

    She urged the states and the UTs to strengthen laboratories, place timely purchase orders of medicines in case of shortages, expedite commissioning of PSA plants and open more teleconsultation centres.

    She highlighted that teleconsultation will help in treating patients in the future and emphasised on the need to give special attention to co-morbid patients, the statement said.

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  • Mandaviya urges protesting resident docs to call off strike over NEET PG counselling delay

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday held a meeting with a delegation of protesting resident doctors and urged them to call off their strike over delay in NEET PG counselling in the larger interest of the public.

    Following the detailed meeting with the delegation of the Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA), he said all requisite steps are being taken by the government and a suitable reply with respect to the EWS report will be submitted to Supreme Court before the scheduled date of hearing on January 6.

    “Our resident doctors have been protesting for the last few days over the delay in NEET PG counselling. I held a meeting with a delegation of the protesting doctors at Nirman Bhawan to resolve the issue,” the minister said.

    “We are not able to do the counselling because the matter is sub judice before the Supreme Court. The government of India will submit a reply to the apex court before the scheduled date of hearing on January 6. We request the court to expedite the issue so that the counselling can be started at the earliest,” he noted.

    Mandaviya also expressed gratitude to the resident doctors and health care workers over the exemplary work done by them during the Covid crisis.

    Intensifying their stir over the delay in NEET-PG 2021 counselling, a large number of resident doctors on Tuesday protested on the premises of Centre-run Safdarjung Hospital, even as police personnel were deployed to ensure maintenance of law and order.

    The protest, a day earlier had taken a dramatic turn, as medics and police personnel had faced off in streets, with both sides claiming several persons suffered injury in the ensuing melee.

  • 60 per cent of India’s adult population fully vaccinated: Health minister

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Over 60 per cent of the eligible population is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Thursday, December 23, 2021.

    “Accomplishing more new feats! Congratulations India. Aided by public participation & dedicated efforts of our health workers, over 60 per cent of the eligible population fully vaccinated now,” he said in a tweet.

    Accomplishing more new feats!Congratulations India Aided by public participation & dedicated efforts of our health workers, over 60% of the eligible population fully vaccinated now #SabkoVaccineMuftVaccine pic.twitter.com/cts7lR8SzA
    — Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) December 23, 2021
    Besides, around 89 per cent of India’s adults have been administered the first dose, according to health ministry officials.

    With the administration of 70,17,671 vaccine doses in the last 24 hours, the cumulative COVID-19 vaccine doses given in the country have exceeded 139.70 crore as per provisional reports till 7 am.

    This has been achieved in 1,47,94,783 sessions.

  • Mansukh Mandaviya urges 3 states, 1 UT reporting low COVID vaccination coverage to launch aggressive campaign

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday urged Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Puducherry, which have been reporting a low vaccination coverage, to launch aggressive campaign to increase the pace and ensure full COVID-19 inoculation of the adult population.

    Reiterating that vaccination is the most potent weapon in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, Mandaviya urged the states and the union territory to innovatively rope in all stakeholders, including NGOs, faith-based organisations, religious leaders, community influencers and other partners, to motivate and mobilise all eligible population towards full Covid vaccination, a health ministry statement said.

    “We are in the last lap of COVID-19 vaccination. Let us launch aggressive campaign to ensure full COVID-19 vaccination by increasing the pace of vaccination and expanding the coverage,” he said while virtually interacting with health secretaries and senior officials of the health department from Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Puducherry during a meeting he chaired to review the status of Covid vaccination in these states and the union territory and the progress under the ‘Har Ghar Dastak’ campaign.

    These states and the UT have been reporting low vaccination coverage, the health ministry statement said.

    While India’s first dose coverage is at 82 per cent and second dose coverage at 43 per cent, Puducherry (66 per cent, 39 per cent), Nagaland (49 per cent, 36 per cent), Meghalaya (57 per cent, 38 per cent) and Manipur (54 per cent, 36 per cent) lag behind from national average in their first and second dose coverage, it said.

    “Let us ensure collectively that no eligible citizen is left without the ‘Suraksha Kawachh’ of COVID-19 vaccine in the country, and to address issues of hesitancy, misinformation, superstition etc.”

    Mandaviya urged the states to deploy all state government officials, one day each week, to visit each eligible household to motivate and mobilise them towards full vaccination, the statement said.

    He reiterated the prime minister’s mop-up strategies for strengthening the ‘Har Ghar Dastak’ campaign, including deploying ‘Prachar Toli’ in advance to villages, which would ensure mobilisation and counselling of the eligible population along with awareness campaigns, followed by the ‘Vaccination Toli’, who would ensure that all eligible citizens are vaccinated with the first and second dose, it stated.

    “I have observed during my recent visit to Arunachal Pradesh the use of stickers of ‘Fully Vaccinated Home’. Similar innovative strategies can be used in other states too,” he said.

    States can also make children and students Covid vaccination ambassadors to urge and motivate the elders and eligible members in their families and communities to take both doses of COVID-19 vaccine, the minister added.

    Mandaviya exhorted the states to prepare detailed district-wise micro plans, deploy adequate number of teams and to regularly review the daily progress of the low performing districts.

    States were urged to make innovative short video clips to address target groups for hesitancy, along with effective use of various social media platforms and traditional media, the statement said.

    The Union health minister engaged with the states and the UT to know the specific reasons holding back the wide scaling up of the vaccination drive under the ongoing ‘Har Ghar Dastak’ campaign.

    He was apprised of the ongoing efforts by the state and the UT administration to address issues of hesitancy, the statement said.

    While India’s first dose coverage is at 82 per cent (as on date), except for the Union Territory of Puducherry, coverage of other states remain below 60 per cent, according to the statement.

    Meghalaya, with a target population over 20 lakh, has eight lakh people waiting to be given first dose and due beneficiaries for second dose are over 2.5 lakh, it said.

    Similarly, Manipur has over 10 lakh people yet to get their first dose and over 3.7 lakh due beneficiaries for their second dose out of a target population of 23.4 lakh.

    Nagaland, with a target population of 14.7 lakh, has over 7.5 lakh first doses to be achieved and 1.2 lakh beneficiaries due for second doses.

    Puducherry, with a population has 11.3 lakh, has 3.88 lakh people yet to get first dose and 1.91 lakh eligible but yet to receive second dose, the statement said.

  • Number of people fully vaccinated against COVID-19 surpasses those partially vaccinated: Union Health Minister

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The number of fully vaccinated individuals against COVID-19 has surpassed the partially vaccinated eligible population for the first time in the country, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Wednesday.

    This feat has been made possible due to the prime minister’s vision of ‘Jan-Bhagidari’ and “Whole of Government Approach”, people’s faith and confidence in the government, and the ongoing ‘Har Ghar Dastak’ campaign which has seen a tremendous response from various parts of the country, Mandaviya said.

    “In a significant achievement to the nationwide vaccination coverage for the country, for the first time the number of fully vaccinated individuals has surpassed those who have been administered only a single dose of vaccine,” the minister said in a statement.

    The country has in total administered over 113.68 crore doses, according to the provisional report at 7 am. This has been achieved through 1,16,73,459 sessions. Out of which, 75,57,24,081 doses were administered as first dose and 38,11,55,604 doses were administered as second dose.

    The number of fully vaccinated individuals (38,11,55,604) exceeds those who have been administered a single dose (37,45,68,477), the minister said. The Union Health Minister congratulated the collective spirit of the country on this achievement. In a tweet, he appealed to all eligible citizens to get vaccinated.

    “We will win the battle against COVID-19 together,” he stated.

    The Union Health Minister expressed confidence that the country will have vaccinated every Indian by the end of the month-long ‘Har Ghar Dastak’ campaign, according to the statement.

    “The staunch political commitment of the Government of India to protect every citizen from COVID-19 through vaccination has enabled the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive to achieve several feats ever since its inception on January 16, 2021.

    “The nation achieved the distinction of having administered 100 crore doses on October 21. Subsequently, the prime minister gave a clarion call and launched the ‘Har Ghar Dastak’ campaign on November 3 to knock at every door and reach out to every household and immunise every citizen against COVID-19 in the spirit of Antyodaya,” Mandaviya said.

    The month-long ‘Har Ghar Dastak’ vaccination campaign aims to ensure that all the adult population is covered with the first dose of vaccine, while those who are due for the second doses are motivated to take the second dose.

    Healthcare workers are conducting door-to-door vaccinations of eligible people across India with a special focus on districts where less than 50 per cent of the eligible population has been vaccinated, the statement said.

    The Union Health Minister also assured people that there was no shortage of vaccine doses in the country and urged them to come forward for the second dose, and motivate those in their family and community to take both the doses.

  • Need to tread with caution: Mandaviya on giving Covid vaccine to children

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday said the government does not want to make haste about administering COVID-19 vaccine to children and any decision in this regard will be taken based on expert opinion.

    On when vaccination for children could start as Zydus Cadila’s Covid vaccine has been granted emergency use authorisation for those 12-year-old and above, he said children were not being inoculated against COVID-19 on a large scale anywhere in the world though it has been initiated in some countries in a limited manner.

    “We do not want to rush this thing. Since this is a matter related to children, the expert group is carrying out further studies,” he said at the ‘Times Now Summit 2021’.

    All the vaccines which have currently received emergency use authorisation will be granted full authorisation only after a detailed study and based on the data of four to five years, he said.

    “It is through data and experience we have learnt that even after vaccination Covid can happen.

    Then again, data emerged stating that after vaccination one does not get severe Covid.

    The first dose gives 96 per cent protection and both doses give 98.5 per cent protection.

    “About vaccinating the children, we will make a decision based on expert opinion. We have decided to think and evaluate before going ahead with vaccinating children as they are the future of our country and we need to tread with caution in this matter,” the minister said.

    On the probability of administering a booster dose, he said adequate stocks are available and the aim is to complete the vaccination of the target population with two doses.

    After that, a decision on booster dose would be taken based on expert recommendation, Mandaviya said.

    “The government cannot take a direct decision in such a matter. When the Indian Council of Medical Research and expert team will say that a booster dose should be given, we will consider it then,” he said, adding Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always depended on expert opinion, be it vaccine research, manufacturing or approval.

    Despite a large population and diverse challenges, nearly 80 per cent of India’s adult population have taken at least the first dose.

    The country’s vaccination performance has been remarkable, Mandaviya said.

    About Covaxin’s approval by WHO, the minister said that he had discussed the matter with WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on more than a couple of occasions to understand the requirements a vaccine needed to fulfil to get the clearance.

    “It is a matter of great pride that a vaccine developed and manufactured in India has been given EUA status.”

    Asked if the delay in getting the EUA was because Covaxin is an Indian vaccine and if there was there any discrimination against India, the Mandaviya replied, “I will not get into this matter.”

    He informed that 97 countries have recognised Covishield and Covaxin.

    In the coming days, vaccines manufactured in India will be made available around the globe at affordable rates, Mandaviya said and stressed India will play a major role in global covid vaccination efforts.

    “We will get 31 crore doses in November with more due in December. Another five to six companies are set to come to India to manufacture vaccines here. We will help meet the world’s requirement for Covid vaccines by providing USD 18 to 20 vaccines at USD 3 to 4. This is our commitment,” he said.

    The minister said that 16 crore vaccine doses are lying with the states and Union Territories.

    Referring to the ‘Har Ghar Dastak’ vaccination at doorstep campaign, he said, “By December 31 we want to complete our target of vaccinating people aged 18 and above. It now depends on people’s support.”

    Asked about the possibility of a third wave, Mandaviya said, “Covid is not over. Cases are rising globally. In Russia, China, Hong Kong cases are rising again despite more than 80 per cent vaccination. Vaccination and Covid-appropriate behaviour have to go hand in hand.”

    On preparations for a probable third wave, he said Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission has been launched and Rs 65,000 crore will be spent in the next five years to ramp up the health infrastructure across the country.

    The aim is to form such a level of preparedness that India is ready to fight a pandemic-like exigency if anything like it comes up in the next 50 years, the Union health minister said.

    “The second wave pointed out the shortages in health infrastructure. But, we don’t believe in a blame game. PM Modi has linked health with development and the government under his leadership always made efforts to expand and strengthen health facilities,” he said.

    Discussing the Health Infrastructure Mission, Mandaviya said modern laboratories will be set up at the district level which will conduct 115 types of medical tests for the poor citizens free of cost.

    Critical care units will be set up at the district level equipped with a 100-bed facility that has oxygen and ventilators.

    Besides, a research centre at the regional level will be set up so that epidemics are recognised on time before they assume pandemic proportions, he said.

    Meanwhile, children below five years are exempted from both pre- and post-arrival testing for COVID-19 in India, according to the revised guidelines for international arrivals released on Thursday.

    However, if found symptomatic for coronavirus infections on arrival or during home quarantine period, they shall undergo testing and be treated according to laid down protocol, the guidelines said.

    Highlighting that the global trajectory of COVID-19 pandemic continues to decline with certain regional variations, the document stated the need to monitor the continuously changing nature of virus and evolution of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern must still remain in focus.

    The existing guidelines (issued on February 17 with subsequent addendums) for international arrivals in India have been formulated taking a risk-based approach.

    In view increasing vaccination coverage across the globe and the changing nature of the pandemic, the existing guidelines for international arrivals in India have been reviewed, the health ministry said.

    “Children under 5 years of age are exempted from both pre- and post-arrival testing. However, if found symptomatic for COVID-19 on arrival or during home quarantine period, they shall undergo testing and treated as per laid down protocol,” it said.

    This standard operating procedure shall be valid from November 12 (00.00 Hrs IST) till further orders, the ministry stated.

    Also, 15 days must have elapsed since completion of COVID-19 vaccination schedule.

    According to the existing guidelines, if travellers are fully vaccinated and coming from a country with which India has reciprocal arrangements for mutual acceptance of WHO approved COVID-19 vaccines, they shall be allowed to leave the airport and need not undergo home quarantine.

    They shall self monitor their health for 14 days’ post arrival.

    If partially or not vaccinated, the travellers need to undertake measures which includes submission of sample for post-arrival COVID-19 test at the point of arrival after which they will be allowed to leave the airport, home quarantine for seven days, re-test on the eighth day of arrival in India and if negative, further selfmonitor of their health for next seven days.

    15 days must have elapsed since completion of COVID-19 vaccination schedule,” the guidelines said.

    Travellers under home quarantine or self-health monitoring, if develop signs and symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 or test positive for COVID-19 on re-testing, they will immediately self isolate and report to their nearest health facility or call national helpline number (1075)/ state helpline number.

    On arrival deboarding should be done ensuring physical distancing and thermal screening would be carried out in respect of all the passengers by the health officials present at the airport.

    The self-declaration form filled online shall be shown to the airport health staff.

    The passengers found to be symptomatic during screening shall be immediately isolated and taken to medical facility according to health protocol.

    If tested positive, their contacts shall be identified and managed according to laid down protocol.

    Contacts of the suspect case are the co-passengers seated in the same row, three rows in front and three rows behind along with identified cabin crew.

    Also, all the community contacts of those travellers who have tested positive (during home quarantine period) would be subjected to quarantine for 14 days and tested as per ICMR protocol , the guidelines stated.

  • Ensure all adults get first dose of Covid vaccine during Har Ghar Dastak campaign: Mandaviya to states

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Noting that over 12 crore beneficiaries are due for their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday urged state health ministers to ensure they are motivated to take it and the entire adult population is administered the first dose during the ongoing ‘Har Ghar Dastak’ campaign.

    During a virtual interaction with the health ministers of states and union territories, Mandaviya observed that the fight against COVID-19 is at the final stage.

    “The two weapons of vaccination and CAB (COVID-19-appropriate behaviour) will be our greatest defence against it and we should not let our guard down before it is completely over,” he said.

    The minister stated that at present 79 per cent of the adult population has got the first dose of vaccine and 38 per cent has also received the second dose.

    “Let us ensure collectively through collaborative and multi-stakeholder efforts that no eligible citizen is left without the ‘suraksha kawachh’ of COVID-19 vaccine in the country. Let us reach each corner and household across the country and motivate people to take both the doses under Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji’s ‘Har Ghar Dastak’ campaign,” he said.

    He emphasised that while vaccination reduces the severity of the disease, adherence to Covid-appropriate behaviour is of utmost important to ensure that the gains made collectively by the country so far are not frittered away and there is not any other surge of COVID-19 cases, according to a Health Ministry statement.

    The meeting also reviewed the public health measures for containment and management of COVID-19 in states and UTs.

    Noting that more than 12 crore beneficiaries are due for their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine, Mandaviya urged state health ministers to ensure they are motivated to take the second dose and all the adult population is covered with the first dose during the door-to-door campaign ongoing ‘Har Ghar Dastak’, according to the statement.

    Underlining that children can be the best ambassadors for behaviour change, he urged states and UTs to rope them in for taking forward the message of full vaccination.

    “Let the children motivate their parents and other family members to take both the vaccine doses,” he stated.

    Mandaviya reiterated Prime Minister Modi’s mop-up strategies for strengthening the ‘Har Ghar Dastak’ campaign, including deploying ‘Prachar Toli’ in advance to villages which would ensure mobilisation and counselling of the eligible population along with awareness campaigns, followed by the ‘Vaccination Toli’ which would ensure that all eligible citizens are vaccinated, the statement stated.

    A strategy of multiple vaccination teams to ensure 100 per cent coverage in the targeted area in a time-bound manner and development of a ranking mechanism for identifying and felicitating the vaccination teams which administer the maximum number of doses every 24 hours for motivated progress of the drive were stressed by Mandaviya, the statement said.

    He also laid emphasis on utilising weekly bazaars and haats for creating awareness and providing vaccination services, collaborating with local religious and community leaders, roping in civil society organisations, NGOs, etc.

    for motivating the unvaccinated in village/urban areas; multi-media awareness campaigns to effectively counter anti-vaccine rumours; and emulating innovative approaches and practices followed by high coverage districts.

    “Let us start Covid vaccination centres at bus stations, railway stations, etc., especially in large metros, as these are the primary points for a large number of people entering the city. Some states have started a ‘Roko and Toko’ campaign where the passengers alighting from buses, trains, rickshaws, etc., are motivated to take the vaccine doses,” he said.

    He also suggested that each day of the ‘Har Ghar Dastak’ campaign can be dedicated to mobilisation and vaccination of different groups of beneficiaries.

    “One day can be dedicated for traders, hawkers, vendors, shopkeepers, etc., other days we can mobilise rickshaw-pullers and auto drivers. One day can be dedicated to labourers and farmers,” he added.

    The minister cautioned all states and UTs that COVID-19 was not over.

    “We shouldn’t think that Covid is over. Cases are rising globally. In Singapore, Britain, Russia and China cases are rising again despite more than 80 per cent vaccination. Vaccination and Covid-appropriate behaviour should go hand in hand,” he stressed.

    Health ministers Veena George (Kerala), Dhan Singh Rawat (Uttarakhand), Banna Gupta (Jharkhand), Lalthangliana (Mizoram), Mangal Pandey (Bihar), K Sudhakar (Karnataka), Rajesh Tope (Maharashtra), Prabhuram Choudhary (Madhya Pradesh), Jai Pratap Singh (Uttar Pradesh), Ma Subramanian (Tamil Nadu), Vishwajit Rane (Goa), Rushikesh Ganeshbhai Patel (Gujarat), Keshab Mahanta (Assam), and Satyendar Jain (Delhi) were present at the meeting.

    Principal Secretaries/Additional Chief Secretaries/Mission Director (NHM) of all states were also present, the statement stated.

    The state health ministers expressed their gratitude to Mandaviya for the supply of vaccines, drugs, financial and technical resources for the COVID-19 management, according to the statement.

    They also shared the innovative steps being taken to ensure saturation of vaccination, especially in low-performing districts.

    Mandaviya thanked all states and UTs for their overwhelming support and urged them to emulate the best practices being undertaken by others, the statement said.

  • 96 countries have agreed to mutual accept Indian COVID vaccine certificates: Mansukh Mandaviya

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Ninety-six countries have agreed to mutual recognition of COVID-19 vaccination certificates with India, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Tuesday.

    The government continues to be in communication with the rest of the world so that beneficiaries of the world’s largest COVID-19 vaccination programme are accepted and recognised, thereby easing travel for education, business and tourism purposes, Mandaviya said in a statement.

    “At present, 96 countries have agreed to mutual recognition of vaccination certificates and also those who recognise Indian vaccination certificates of travellers fully vaccinated with Covishield/WHO approved/nationally approved COVID vaccines,” Mandaviya stated.

    Consecutively, persons travelling from these countries are provided certain relaxations as enunciated in the Union Health Ministry’s guidelines on international arrivals issued on October 20, 2021. For those who wish to travel abroad, the international travel vaccination certificate can also be downloaded from the CoWIN portal, the ministry said.

    Among the 96 countries are Canada, the US, the UK, France, Germany, Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands, Spain, Bangladesh, Mali, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Angola, Nigeria, Benin, Chad, Hungary, Serbia, Poland, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Greece, Finland, Estonia, Romania, Moldova, Albania, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Sweden, Austria, Montenegro, and Iceland.

    Eswatini, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Malawi, Botswana, Namibia, Kyrgyz Republic, Belarus, Armenia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Georgia, Andorra, Kuwait, Oman, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Maldives, Comoros, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Peru, Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Brazil have also agreed to mutual recognition of COVID-19 vaccination certificates with India.

    Guyana, Antigua & Barbuda, Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Columbia, Trinidad & Tobago, Commonwealth of Dominica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Nepal, Iran, Lebanon, State of Palestine, Syria, South Sudan, Tunisia, Sudan, Egypt, Australia, Mongolia, and Philippines are the other countries.

    “The Ministry of Health along with the Ministry of External Affairs is in continuous communication with all countries for mutual recognition of vaccine certificates, and WHO and nationally approved vaccines to facilitate hassle-free international travel across countries,” the minister said.

    “The Union government’s commitment to accelerate the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country has resulted in crossing the 100 crore milestone in administration of doses on October 21, 2021,” he stated.

    The cumulative vaccine doses administered in the country so far under the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive has exceeded 109.08 crore.