January 2, 2020: Dry Run for COVID-19 vaccine introduction was successfully conducted in Kamrup-Metro on Saturday.

The dry run was conducted in three hospitals of the city-Guwahati Medical College Hospital(GMCH), Khanapara Stare Dispensary and Sonapur District Hospital since Saturday morning.

National Health Mission(NHM) Mission Director Dr Lakshmanan S himself supervised the exercise in GMCH and Khanapara state dispensary. Principal cum chief Superintendent of GMCH Dr. Achyut Kumar Baishya, Kamrup Metro ADC(Health) Sharmistha Bora were also present in GMCH.

Director of health services, Assam, Munindra Nath Ngatey and Joint Director of health services, Kamrup Metro Dr. Ganesh Saikia monitored the mock drill in Sonapur District Hospital while Joint Director (UIP) Dr. Binita Goswami was also present at the Khanapara State Dispensary.

The DIO, Kamrup metro, along with representatives from UNICEF, FPIUI, NPSP WHO, SPO UNDP and NHM DPM, DME, DDM, DPC and DUHC were present at the Dry Run sites.

The objective of the Dry Run for COVID-19 vaccine introduction is to assess operational feasibility in the use of Co-WIN application in field environment, to test the linkages between planning and implementation and to identify the challenges and guide way forward prior to actual implementation. This is also expected to give confidence to programme managers at various levels.

An important focus of the dry run is on management of any possible adverse events following immunisation (AEFI). In addition, adherence and management of infection control practices at the session site, to prevent disease transmission. The mock drill also include concurrent monitoring and review at the block and district levels, and preparation of feedback. The State Task Force will review the feedback and share with the Union Health Ministry later.