Centre not for door-to-door vaccination as focus remains on priority age group

However, the Union health ministry has said the Maharashtra government has not made a formal request for door-step vaccination.

The health secretary said that the current vaccination drive against coronavirus is different from a universal immunisation programme where "decades of experience" play a crucial role.

"What we are dealing with is not only adult vaccination but also a vaccination where there may be adverse events following vaccination.  For which, you need to keep a person under watch for 30 minutes," the health secretary pointed out, apart from logistical issues, said an NDTV report.

"Till date, we have not received any specific update about what you call door to door vaccination," he added.

The report stated that Brihanmumbai Corporation chief Iqbal Chahal had told the media that he had requested the state government as well as the Centre's team that had visited 10 days ago to allow for a door-to-door vaccination drive in a big way.

Chahal claimed that the request was also made at the Centre's video conference with the states earlier this month, said the report.

However, VK Paul, the chairman of the National Expert Committee on Vaccine Administration, in a briefing today asserted the importance of focusing on the priority age group.

"Any complacency at this stage, and at any level, will have heavy costs," the Centre wrote to Chief Secretaries today, the report informed.

"All districts with high case load and fast growth of cases must ensure 100% saturation vaccination of the priority age group of 45 year and above, in the coming two weeks," the Centre wrote, it added.

It asked the states to direct the districts to come up with a time bound action plan and responsibilities whether they are currently facing a surge in Covi-19 cases or not.