In hope of Covid vaccine, UP begins identifying vaccinators

APART FROM STAFF NURSES, A LIST OF PHARMACISTS AND LAB TECHNICIANS IS ALSO BEING PREPARED AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL

LUCKNOW : The Covid vaccine that would be available in Uttar Pradesh in due course will be an intra-muscular injectable vaccine and, keeping in view the need for vaccinators, the health department has started identifying them.

“According to information we have, the vaccine will be intra-muscular injectable, hence we are working on identifying vaccinators and also on maintaining a cold chain for the vaccine,” said Amit Mohan Prasad, additional chief secretary (ACS), medical health, at a press conference her on Thursday.

“Whenever the vaccine comes, we will be in a position to make it available as per the preference list prepared by the central government.

Amit Mohan Prasad, additional chief secretary said that the elderly need to take additional precaution against Covid.

“The number of elderly suffering from Covid is gradually rising and the present share of elderly in the total cases is 10.37%. Their share in death is over 45% in the state and so there is need for precaution,” the ACS said.

He said cold chain availability is being expanded from the present 80,000 litres to 2,03,000 litres and all chief medical officers have been asked to make a 100-day programme for surveillance and tracking.

“Vaccine shall came, but until then prevention is the best way and particularly during winter, respiratory problem can rise. Covid can further complicate these problems,” he said.

Vaccinators are being identified, both in government and private sectors, so that there is no delay when vaccination starts.

Apart from staff nurses, a list of pharmacists and lab technicians is also being prepared at the district level, he said.