Visakhapatnam: Dry run held in hassle-free manner says Collector V Vinay Chand

Visakhapatnam: District Collector V Vinay Chand said that a dry run was conducted on Saturday to examine the preparedness for Covid-19 vaccination as per the Central government guidelines.

Speaking to the media, the Collector said the Covid-19 vaccine dry run was held at the ENT Hospital in the city, a private hospital and Simhachalam Regional Health Centre, among others.

Supervising the arrangements made at Government ENT Hospital, the Collector said health care workers, doctors, nurses, paramedics, ASHA workers followed by ministerial staff working in public and private hospitals will be administered vaccine in the first phase.

In the second phase, Vinay Chand said, vaccination will be given to frontline workers such as police, revenue, municipal and sanitation personnel.

In Visakhapatnam district, the Collector said, 34,761 healthcare workers will be vaccinated in the first phase. He said their details will be entered with the help of specially designed Covid software based on identity proof.

Healthcare staff will get an SMS to their phone asking them to come to the vaccination centre in specified time slots.

Vinay Chand said that those developing any sickness post vaccination will be rushed to the nearby hospital with immediate effect.

At the district level, an Adverse Event Following Immunisation (AEFI) Committee will be appointed with five specialist doctors to monitor emergency situation post vaccination. Disposal of used syringes and biowaste will be done in a safe manner at the vaccine centres, Vinay Chand informed.

In Visakhapatnam, a regional warehouse will be set up for Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam and East Godavari districts to store vaccine. At present, there is a facility to store 17 lakh doses of vaccine. The vaccines will be transported in cold storage from production centres to warehouses and vaccination centres with complete safety.

The second dose will be initiated in 21 or 28 days, depending on the type of vaccine. Joint Collector P. Arun Babu, Andhra Medical College Principal and Covid Special Officer PV Sudhakar, other medical and health department officials were present.