COVID vaccination for all above 18 years

COVID vaccination for all above 18 years: IMA Urges PM Modi

Amid an increase in COVID-19 cases in the country, the Indian Medical Association has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggesting that vaccination be allowed to all people over the age of 18.

The daily rise in new coronavirus infections in India remained above 90,000 for the third day in a row on Tuesday, bringing the national COVID-19 case count to 1,26,86,049, according to the Union Health Ministry. . The country had reported 1.03,558 new cases a day ago.

“At present, we are vaccinating the population over 45 years of age. In view of the rapid spread of the second wave of the disease, we suggest that our vaccination strategy be prepared with immediate effect and on the warpath, ”said the Indian Medical Association (IMA) in its letter to the Prime Minister.

The body of doctors said that “we request the following suggestions in the COVID-19 vaccination campaign: all citizens over 18 years of age will be able to receive the COVID vaccine and the COVID vaccine without an appointment must be available to everyone, at no cost at their expense. . closest place possible ”.

The IMA also suggested that private sector family clinics should be actively included in the vaccination campaign alongside private hospitals.

Making the vaccination certificate mandatory to enter public places and receive products under the public distribution system was also part of the suggestions made by the association.

The IMA stated that the rise in the second wave of the pandemic is reaching record levels, adding that “vaccination against COVID-19 is a unique evidence-based resource so that we can restrict cases by increasing personal immune response and pave the way. so that the severity of the disease diminishes the collective immunity ”.

He said that the availability of vaccination with all doctors and family doctors will have a positive impact on the inoculation campaign.

District-level vaccine task forces should be constituted with public and private participation to enforce mass vaccination, monitor and mitigate adverse drug events, and build trust, the IMA suggested, adding that it is willing to actively participate in it.

The body of doctors said that given the increase in cases and as a measure to break the chain of transmission, “continuous closures for a limited time” should be implemented, “especially for all non-essential areas such as cinemas, cultural and religious events, sports, etc. . ”

“The Indian Medical Association ensures and proactively supports its entire workforce and infrastructure facilities for rapid vaccination and supports the government during this hour of crisis,” he said.