All states to conduct COVID-19 vaccine dry run today

In a major exercise, all states and Union territories will conduct on Saturday a dry run for administering the COVID-19 vaccine. Last week, a dry run was conducted in four states to evaluate the procedures planned for hassle-free administration of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan had on Friday evaluated preparations for the nationwide dry run at a meeting.

Harsh Vardhan tweeted that 10 tasks would be conducted during the dry run. These include planning and preparations such as prerequisites for vaccine introduction, creation of facilities and users on CoWIN application, session site creation and mapping of sites, deployment of team members, vaccine and logistics mobilisation at session site and mock drill of beneficiary vaccination and reporting.

The activity is proposed to be conducted in all state capitals in at least three session sites.

Some states will also include districts that are situated in difficult terrain or have poor logistical support, while Maharashtra and Kerala are likely to schedule the dry run in major cities other than their capitals, the Union health ministry said.