According to a PTI report, the government stated on September 23 that “differently-abled” people and those with “limited mobility” will be provided COVID-19 vaccine shots at their homes.
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State of Infection, Vaccine Status
Officials from the Union Health Ministry addressed a press conference on COVID-19 updates in Delhi on Thursday. They said that while daily case numbers are falling, the country is still in the second wave. However, they noted that Kerala alone accounted for 62.73% of all infections recorded last week. The state is also currently the only one with more than 1 lakh active COVID-19 cases.
During the media briefing, senior health ministry officials also indicated that just 6% of all doses of vaccine shots delivered between May 1 and September 22 were done at private hospitals. The rest were all done at public health institutions.
New Provision for Those with Limited Mobility
“I am pleased to inform you that the government has made a provision under which, those with limited mobility, who are unable to leave their homes to be vaccinated, such as the differently-abled, elderly, or those with special needs, will be given vaccine shots at home under the supervision of trained vaccinators, who will follow the required standard operating procedures. States have been given an advisory in this regard,” said VK Paul, member (health), Niti Aayog. (Reported by Hindustan Times)
States and Union territories have already been asked to make necessary arrangements, as per a letter released on Thursday.
In May 2021, a citizen-friendly initiative began with near-home vaccination centers for the elderly and differently-abled. The strategy, which is now operational, has helped administer around 162 million vaccine doses. The new at-home vaccination effort will be complementing the existing initiative in furthering the vaccination drive in India.
“There are still some people who are bedridden or have extremely limited mobility, handicap, and/or special needs, which may make it difficult for them to access even close-by vaccination centers. It is recommended that a line-list of such potential beneficiaries and their caregivers be developed in each planning unit’s catchment area and compiled at the district level. Vaccination of such beneficiaries may thereafter be enabled at their place of residence using mobile vaccination teams…,” reads a letter from the Union Health Minister to states and territories.
This step can benefit those who have been unable to take the shot due to mobility issues. The Union Health Minister further said that the arrangements for a vaccination facility at home would be safe, effective, and supportive. However, the date for the start of the program has not been specified yet.
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