World biggest Covid 19 vaccination drive: All you need to know about this mega drive

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to kickstart world's biggest vaccination drive today I.e January 16 via video conferencing. The Prime Minister will launch the mega drive at 10.30 am on Saturday, said Prime Minister Office (PMO) in a statement issued on Friday.  

As the vaccination process begins, over 3000 sites across all States and UTs will be virtually connected during the launch.

"This will be the world’s largest vaccination program covering the entire length and breadth of the country.  A total of 3006 session sites across all States and UTs will be virtually connected during the launch. Around 100 beneficiaries will be vaccinated at each session site on the inaugural day," reads the statement.  

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The priority has been accorded to health Care workers, both in government and private sectors including ICDS workers, will receive the vaccine during this phase.  
The vaccination programme will use Co-WIN, an online digital platform developed by Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, which will facilitate real time information of vaccine stocks, storage temperature and individualized tracking of beneficiaries for COVID-19 vaccine.  

A dedicated 24x7 call centre – 1075 –  has also been established for addressing the queries related to COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine rollout and the Co-WIN software.
Adequate doses of both COVISHIELD and COVAXIN have already been delivered across the country to all States/UTs . These have been further delivered by the State/UT governments to the districts. All preparations are in place to initiate the programme on the principles of Jan Bhagidari.

Earlier, ahead of the mega drive, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare shared a fact sheet about the vaccines listing out guidelines and issuing an advisory on who shall be administered the doses and under what circumstances one may be excluded.   
* Covid-19 vaccine is only for 18 years and above
* Administration of vaccine should be done separated by an interval of 14 days
* Second dose should be of the same vaccine of which the first dose was administered.  
* Interchanging vaccines is not allowed 
Contraindications
1 Persons with history of:
-Anaphylactic or allergic reaction to a previous dose of Covid-19 vaccine
-Immediate or delayed-onset anaphylaxis or allergic reaction to vaccine or injectable therapies, pharmaceutical products, food-items etc.   

2. Pregnancy & lactation:
-Pregnant and lactating women have not been part of any Covid-19 vaccine clinical trial so far. Therefore, women who are pregnant or not sure of their pregnancy; and lactating women should not receive Covid-19 vaccine at this time.  
3 Provisional/temporary contraindications: In these conditions, Covid vaccination is to be deferred for 4-8 weeks after recovery
* Persons having active symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
* SARS-CoV-2 patients who have been given SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies or covalescent plasma.
* Acutely unwell and hospitalised (with or without intensive care) patients due to any illness.