Ahead of the arrival of the COVID-19 vaccines in India, Goa has established a 19-member task force that’ll be headed by a sub-divisional magistrate, to overlook the introduction of the coronavirus vaccine. Besides this, the force has also been tasked to undertake the planning and mapping of the first phase of the vaccination sessions, that aim to immunise healthcare workers. The state has also constituted a State Level Steering Committee, chaired by the Chief Secretary for streamlining COVID-19 vaccine. The committee conducted its first meeting on December 1.
The Preparatory Stage: Roles of COVID-19 block force
The COVID-19 block force in Goa has been tasked with various responsibilities to ensure a smooth distribution of the medicinal shots. To prepare for this, the body will monitor the progress of the vaccine beneficiary database, which will be then handed over to the district authorities and uploaded on the Co-win software, a mobile application which will monitor the real-time delivery of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The state task force has also been assigned with the responsibility of training human resources on the Co-win software in this preparatory phase. Micro planning, communication planning, cold chain, vaccine logistic planning and all other such tasks that require supervision will be administered by this block force. Besides this, the body will also monitor the job of fixing accountability of each of the aforementioned tasks.
The Implementation Stage: Roles of COVID-19 block force
The implementation phase will begin in Goa with the arrival of the coronavirus vaccine. During this phase, the task force will monitor the roll-out of the vaccine, the immunisation process, and resolve bottlenecks, if any. Other accessory tasks of arranging manpower, as well as other infrastructure including vehicles, and surveillance authority for each vaccination session will also be looked over by the task force.
The block force has also been assigned with the role of implementing the communication plan while addressing the local aspect. The hurdles of rumour-mongering will also be tackled by this body, with the help of local opinion leaders, including religious leaders to counter any misinformation.
The block task force has to ensure that all IEC- information, education and communication related to the vaccination drive are available at prominent places and session sites, to raise awareness among the people. Apart from this, the body will also ensure timely dispersion of volunteers and human resource throughout.
Routine Immunisation to not be compromised
The block task force will also monitor the state medical infrastructure including both private and government sectors, to eliminate the possibility of disruption of routine immunisation in Goa, during the COVID-19 vaccination drive.
The mapping, training and deployment of human resources across the medical spectrum for vaccination sessions will also fall under the ambit of this newly constituted force. People will also be inducted to overtake the jobs of verification of beneficiaries, crowd management and overall coordination at the vaccine centre.
