'Be alert, boost Covid vaccinations for children': Union Health Minister to states

New Delhi, June 13: Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday interacted with health ministers of states and Union territories and directed them to focus on boosting Covid-19 vaccination coverage for schoolchildren, precaution dose for the elderly and enhancing genome sequencing, the health ministry informed.

“Covid-19 is not over yet. As the number of Covid-19 cases in some states is rising, it is important to remain alert and not forget following Covid-appropriate behaviour,” Mandaviya urged states.

During the review meeting, the union minister highlighted that case positivity in some districts and states has increased, while Covid-19 testing is reduced. Mandaviya further said that increased and timely testing will enable the early identification of cases and help to curb the spread of the infection among the community.

“He urged states/UTs to continue and strengthen the surveillance and focus on genome sequencing for identifying new mutants/variants in the country. He stated that the five-fold strategy of test, track, treat, vaccination and adherence to Covid Appropriate Behavior (CAB) need to be continued and monitored by States/UTs,” the health ministry said in a statement on Monday.

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States were also asked to focus on implementing the operational guidelines for the new Covid-19 surveillance strategy, which emphasises surveillance of arriving international travellers as well as surveillance through health facilities, labs and communities, etc.

"Stressing the importance of vaccination among vulnerable age groups, he urged state health ministers to personally review the status and progress of the special month-long campaign Har Ghar Dastak 2.0, which started on June 1st," the statement continued.

“Let us accelerate our efforts to identify all beneficiaries in the 12-17 age group for the 1st and 2nd doses, so they can attend schools with the protection of the vaccine," Union Health Minister Mandaviya said.

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-PTC News