With multiple Vaccine candidates in various stages of development, Government of India has started preparations for introduction of COVID-19 vaccine and a National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC) has been formed as the highest group that will guide the strategies for vaccine introduction. It is anticipated that the vaccine will be first prioritized for Health Care Workers followed by other front-line workers and age groups. In order to establish a coordination mechanism at State and District Level for administration of COVID-19 vaccine, the Government of Nagaland has constituted the following Committees:

 

A.        State Steering Committee:

1. Chief Secretary, Nagaland	Chairperson
2. Principal Secretary, Health & Family Welfare	Convener
3. Additional Chief Secretary, Tribal Affairs	Member
4. Director General of Police, Nagaland	Member
5. Principal Secretary, Urban Development	Member
6. Principal Secretary, Home Department	Member
7. Principal Secretary, Geology & Mining	Member
8. Principal Secretary, Municipal Affairs	Member
9. Commissioner & Secretary, Social Welfare	Member
10. Commissioner & Secretary, Land Revenue	Member
11. Commissioner & Secretary, Education	Member
12. Commissioner & Secretary, Information & Public Relations	Member
13. Commissioner & Secretary, Labour & Employment, SD & E	Member
14. Commissioner & Secretary, Women Development	Member
15. Commissioner & Secretary, Rural Development	Member
16. Secretary, Transport	Member
17. Secretary, Youth Resources & Sports	Member
18. Principal Director, Heath & Family Welfare	Member
19. Representative of NCC	Member
20. Representative of NYKS	Member
21. Representative of NSS	Member
22. Representative of Railways	Member
23. The IG, Assam Rifles (North) or his representative	Member
24. The GOC 3 Corps Rangapahar or his representative	Member
25. The Joint Director, IB Nagaland	Member
26. The DIG (Ops) CRPF, Lerie	Member
27. The Commandant, 173 Bn., BSF Chedema	Member
28. Representative of international partner agencies (WHO, UNICEF, UNDP Red Cross Society, Lions Club, Rotary Club)	Member

 

The State Steering Committee shall meet at least once in a month. Additional meeting may be held if required.

Activities to be conducted:

1.         Preparatory phase

• Ensure active engagement of other line department for various activities related to COVID-19 vaccine introduction as and when the vaccine is made available.
• Oversight on creation of database of Health Care Workers (HCWs) on COVID-19 Vaccination Beneficiary Management system (CVBMS) who will be prioritized for vaccination in the 1st phase.
• Review of state's preparatory activities in terms of cold chain preparedness, operational planning, communication planning, strategies for anticipated state specific challenges in terms of geographical terrain, network connectivity, hard to reach areas etc.
• Mobilize human/other resources and coordinate planning and other activities with other departments. HR with expertise in medical/health may be utilized for vaccination while other HR may be used for operational support, IEC, resource mobilization, community mobilization etc.
• Financial planning for COVID-19 vaccine introduction amongst HCWs followed by other priority socio- demographic groups.
• Explore utilization of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for financing various activities related to COVID-19 vaccine introduction.
• Devising plan for utilization of Common Service Centres and other public infrastructure as per need.
• Review and ensure that regular meetings of State Task Force (STF) and District Task Force (DTF) are held.

2.         Implementation phase (upon availability of vaccine):

• Oversight on overall microplanning and other operational aspects of COVID-19 vaccine introduction.
• Ensure active involvement of all concerned department and stakeholders as per their pre-defined roles in the process of COVID-19 vaccine introduction.
• Ensure early tracking of social media and other platforms for possible misinformation and rumors around COVID-19 vaccine that could impact the community acceptance for COVID-19 vaccine.
• Devise innovative strategies for improving community engagement 'Jon Bhagidaari' for improved coverage of COVID-19 vaccine.
• Regular review of coverage of COVID-19 vaccine and guidance to STF for corrective actions.
• Institute reward/recognition mechanism for achievement of best performing district/block/urban ward etc.

 

B. State Task Force:

1. Principal Secretary, Health & Family Welfare	Chairperson
2. State Immunization Officer, Health & Family Welfare	Member Secretary
3. Principal Director, Heath & Family Welfare	Member
4. Mission Director, NHM	Member
5. State Programme Officer, AYUSH	Member
6. Principal Secretary, Urban Development	Member
7. Commissioner & Secretary, Women Development	Member
8. Commissioner & Secretary, Rural Development	Member
9. General Secretary, NBCC	Member
10. Representative of international partner agencies (WHO, UNICEF/UNDP, Red Cross Society, Rotary Club, Lions Club)	Member

 

The State Task Force shall meet at least once every fortnight. Additional meeting may be held as per need.

Activities to be conducted:

1. Preparatory phase:

• Regularly monitor the progress of database of beneficiaries on COVID-19 Vaccination Beneficiary Management system (CVBMS).
• Provide guidance, including funding and operational guidelines, and fix timelines for districts to plan and implement COVID-19 vaccine introduction as and when vaccine is made available.
• Involve other relevant departments including ICDS, PRI and key immunization partners such as UN UNICEF, who, Rotary International, Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child Health and Adolescent Health (RMNCH+A) lead partners and other organizations at state level, CSOs, including professional bodies such as IMA should also be involved.
• Review cold chain preparedness across the state for possible introduction of COVID-19 vaccine an8 guide strengthening measures for the same in view of increased cold chain space requirement.
• Identify vaccinators across government and private sectors so as to minimize disruption of Routine Immunization services while introducing COVID-19 vaccine.
• Planning and mapping of vaccination sessions where HCWs will be vaccinated during the 1st phase of COVID-19 vaccine roll-out.
• Mapping human resources across departments that could be deployed for vaccination sessions for verification of beneficiaries, crowd management and overall coordination at session site.
• Communicate with District Magistrates (DM) for conducting meetings of District Task Force.

2.         Implementation phase (upon availability of vaccine):

• Track districts for adherence to timelines for overall implementation of COVID-19 vaccine introduction as per the guidelines approved by NEGVAC and communicated from national level.
• Deploy senior state-level health officials to each district identified for monitoring and ensuring accountability framework. They should visit these districts and oversee the activities for the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccine, including participation in DTFI meetings and assessment of district preparedness.
• Develop a media plan to address rumor mongering as well as vaccine eagerness. Ensure adequate number of IEC materials (as per prototypes) are printed and disseminated to districts in time.
• Involve youth organizations like NCC/NYKS/NSS for social mobilization of identified group of beneficiaries to be prioritized from time to time. On similar lines, ensure involvement of self-help groups.
• Regular review with districts and urban local bodies to review and resolve issues related to microplanning, vaccines and logistics, human resources availability, training, waste management, AEFI and IEC/BCC.
• Review and need based approval of additional fund requirement.

 

C. District Task Force:

1. Deputy Commissioner	Chairperson
2. District Immunization Officer	Member Secretary
3. Chief Medical Officer	Member
4. District Women Development Officer	Member
5. Administrator/CEO of KMC/DMC	Member
6. District Youth Resources & Sports Officer	Member
7. District Education Officer	Member
8. District Welfare Officer	Member
9. District Information & Public Relations Officer	Member
10. District Land Revenue Officer	Member
11. Assistant Labour Commissioner	Member
12. District Employment Officer	Member
13. Director Geology & Mining	Member
14. Project Director, DRDA	Member
15 Representative of Tribal HOHOs/ Religious leaders	Member
16. Representative of international partner agencies (WHO UNICEF, UNDP, Red Cross Society, Lions Club, Rotary Club)	Member

 

The State Task Force shall meet weekly.

Activities to be conducted:

1.         Preparatory phase:

• Monitor progress of database of beneficiaries on COVID-19 Vaccination Beneficiary Management system (CVBMS).
• Ensure training of ail concerned HR on COVID-19 Vaccination Beneficiary Management system (CVBMS).
• Monitor progress on key activities such as microplanning, communication planning, cold chain and vaccine logistics planning. Accountability to be fixed for each activity at all levels.
• Planning and mapping of vaccination sessions where HCWs will be vaccinated during the 1st phase of COVID-19 vaccine roll-out.
• Involve other relevant departments including ICDS/PRI and key immunization partners such as UNDP, UNICEF, WHO, Rotary International, RMNCH+A lead partners and other organizations at district levels, CSOs, including professional bodies such as IMA should be involved. Involve the local and religious leaders.
• Identify vaccinators across government and private sectors so as to minimize disruption of Routine Immunization services while introducing COVID-19 vaccine.
• Mapping human resources across departments that could be deployed for vaccination sessions for verification of beneficiaries, crowd management and overall coordination at session site.

2.         Implementation phase (upon availability of vaccine):

• Monitor the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccine in the district for progress made and resolving bottle-necks.
• Requisition of required human resource and infrastructure including vehicles if needed from other departments for implementation and monitoring.
• Ensure minimal disruption of other routine health services during rollout of COVID-19 vaccine.
• Ensure identification and accountability of senior officers in the blocks and the urban cities. They should visit these blocks and provide oversight to activities for rollout of COVID-19 vaccine, including participation in training, monitoring etc.
• Robust communication planning at all levels to address rumor mongering as well as vaccine eagerness. Ensure adequate number of printed IEC materials (as per prototypes) are printed and disseminated to blocks/planning units in time. Ensure that these materials are discussed and used in the sensitization workshops.
• Track blocks and urban areas for adherence to timelines for various activities required for introduction of COVID-19 vaccine.
• Ensure timely disbursal of funds at all levels.
• Share key qualitative and quantitative feedback at state level for review.

 

(DIPR)