New Delhi: The national expert group on vaccine administration for COVID-19 met for the first time Wednesday. The panel delved on the procurement mechanisms for the COVID-19 vaccine, including both indigenous and international manufacturing along with guiding principles for prioritisation of population groups for vaccination.
The meeting was chaired by Dr VK Paul, Member Niti Aayog along with Secretary (Ministry of Health) as co-chair. The committee also advised all the states not to chart separate pathways of procurement, according to the Union Health Ministry.
The group members discussed on broad parameters guiding the selection of COVID-19 vaccine candidates for India. It sought inputs from the standing Technical sub-committee of National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI).
The expert group also deliberated on ‘conceptualisation and implementation mechanisms for creation of a digital infrastructure for inventory management and delivery mechanism of the vaccine including tracking of vaccination process with particular focus on last mile delivery,” the Health Ministry said in a statement.
“The group delved on the procurement mechanisms for COVID-19 vaccine, including both indigenous and international manufacturing along with guiding principles for prioritisation of population groups for vaccination,” the ministry said.
The expert group discussed the financial resources required for procurement of the COVID-19 vaccine and various options of financing the same. Available options in terms of delivery platforms, cold chain and associated infrastructure for roll out of COVID-19 vaccination were also taken up.
Further, strategy and follow-up action on all possible scenarios to ensure equitable and transparent delivery of the vaccine was deliberated upon, the ministry said. Issues related to vaccine safety and surveillance was taken up and strategy for community involvement through transparent information and awareness creation were discussed, the statement informed.
India’s support to its key neighbours and development partner countries for COVID-19 vaccines was also discussed.
“The expert group discussed that India will leverage domestic vaccine manufacturing capacity and will also engage with all international players for early delivery of vaccines not only in India but also in low and middle income countries,” the Health Ministry informed.