Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 17: The Government today constituted a Vaccine and Logistics Management Committee (VLMC) which has been tasked to ensure proper handling, distribution and transportation of vaccine across Jammu and Kashmir.
An order issued here by the Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education Department stated that to fix responsibility regarding proper handling, distribution and transportation of COVID-19 vaccine to the vaccination centres, the sanction is hereby according to the constitution of a Vaccine and Logistics Management Committee.
As per the order-a copy of which lies with Excelsior-the Committee constituted has been tasked to make an assessment of the vaccine requirement for the specific age group of population and prepare a detailed road map, plan for the vaccine requirement and procurement.
The Director-General, Family Welfare & Immunization J&K will act as the Chairman of the Committee, Mission Direction, NHM J&K, MD, JKMSCL J&K, Jammu as Members and State Expanded Programme for Immunization Officer as Member Secretary.
The VLMC will also review the stock position of vaccine doses vis-à-vis requirement and taking appropriate action for proper management of vaccine administration
The main focus of the committee, as per the order is going to be the effective storage and availability of the cold storage across the Union Territory which as per the officials was posing a challenge with the opening up of the vaccine for the age group of 18-44.
The order stated that the committee will assess cold chain equipment based on the gap analysis to ensure adequate storage capacity for vaccine doses to be received from the GoI and Manufacturers as per the standard guidelines of the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme.
The committee will also identify the sites and will also ensure site readiness for installation of WIC/WIF (refrigeration devices) as per the standard guidelines. The committee will also identify district/ sub-district level stores requiring additional cold storage equipment as per the vaccine estimation.
“To ensure Cold Chain Handlers/ Vaccinators and other staff associated with the COVID-19 vaccination are trained on the procedure for Vaccine and Logistics Movement as well as infection prevention and control precautions as per the GoI guidelines,” the order read.
As per the terms of reference, the VLMC will also ensure all necessary arrangements for distribution; transportation and temporary vaccine storage are in place as per the Standard Operating Procedure before its dispatch to the vaccination sites.
VLMC, as per the order, will also ensure uploading vaccine data on Co-Win Portal for proper management of vaccine doses.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel