In review of the Covid- 19 Vaccination and upcoming National Immunization Day (NID) for Polio, a State task force meeting was held at IDSP, Conference Hall Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, Kohima on 28th January, 2021 under the chairmanship of Principal Secretary H&FW, Senior officials from Department of H&FW, Social Welfare Department attended the meeting along with State level development partners from WHO, UNICEF and UNDP.

Dr.Ritu Thurr, SIO, highlighted on the ongoing covid-19 vaccination campaign, where he informed that, as of  28th January, 2021, over all total beneficiaries registered is 70,274 and as of State Health care workers total beneficiaries is 20,692 ; Registered beneficiaries as of Ministry of Home Affairs is 48,170. Beneficiaries vaccinated for 1st dose is 5,773. He further added that, 1st dose of vaccination will be till 24th February, 2021.

Senior Medical Officer, WHO, Dr.Sheilla Longkumer, stated that the State is ready to start 3 days campaign with a target of 1,51,000 and 80% coverage with  children below 5 years. With a goal to eradicate polio in the country, at the State level it will be launched at Naga Hospital. During the 3 days campaign, Monday and Tuesday will be house to house, while Sunday will be open for those who could not get vaccinated on those two days. IMI 3.0 will be carried out in all districts except Longleng. IMI 3.0 is a special immunisation drive to vaccinate missed out and left out children in hard- to reach areas of the districts, she added.

The following action points were discussed by the members during the STF:

1. From the Revenue department only Kiphire and Mon have registrar in the Co-WIN portal. The Health department is overburdened with Covid-19  and other parallel activities, therefore other departments will roped in for the registration. The next STF will need representation from commissioner office for better coordination with all D.C and the DTF should focus on beneficiary registration of FLWs as is specified in the MoHFW operational guidelines.
2. Sensitization of Angawadi's and ASHA for Covid-19 vaccination will be done urgently to address the coverage through VC with CHOs to motivate all ASHAs and AWWs and parallel sensitization will be done through CMO office and Social Welfare Department.
3. Influencers from every department will be identified to mobilise the missed out health care workers with uniform messaging   and positive experience after the vaccination.
4. Specific instructions regarding IMI will be going in a day or two to all districts, where CMO will lead and give specific help to the immunization team pooled from other vertical programmes.
5. The next step for vaccinating Frontline workers will be coordinated with all allied departments through the DTF, as the health department will not be able to handle the surge. The DC and the DTFs will be leading the districts in registration and successfully carrying out the vaccination of all frontline workers.

(Tovikali, IA)