‘Ramp up COVID-19 vaccination, increase testing’: Centre to poll-bound states at high-level meet

Representational image&nbsp | &nbspPhoto Credit:&nbspPTI

Key Highlights

• The states were advised to speedily ramp up COVID-19 vaccination

• The states were also directed to exponentially increase the testing

• The state authorities were advised to ensure that COVID-appropriate behavior is strictly followed

New Delhi: Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan on Monday held a high-level meeting with five poll-bound states and reviewed the public health response measures for containment and management of COVID-19, and the vaccination status in these states.

Five states – Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Manipur, and Punjab are set to hold Assembly elections early next year.

The states were advised to speedily ramp up COVID-19 vaccination of all eligible population for the first dose and ensure that those who were due for the second dose are administered the shot.

The Union Health Secretary advised the states to scale up vaccination through “district-wise” weekly plan and review the implementation status on a daily basis. 

He also directed the poll-bound states to exponentially increase the testing to ensure that the infected cases are identified promptly for timely initiation of public health response measures, and to ensure that there is no sudden upsurge in numbers due to low testing.

The crucial meeting comes amid a rise in coronavirus cases in the country and concern over the highly contagious Omicron strain.

The state authorities were strongly advised to ensure that recommended COVID-appropriate behavior is strictly followed and adequate measures are undertaken for their effective enforcement.

While Uttarakhand and Goa have reported vaccination coverage for the first and second doses higher than the national average, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Manipur have COVID19 vaccination coverage numbers below the national average, the government said in a statement.

A total of 142.38 crore vaccination doses have been administered as on date, of which more than 83.80 crore vaccine doses are for the first dose and more than 58.58 crore are second doses of COVID-19 vaccine.