Nagaland receives 1 lakh COVID-19 doses from centre

Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 27

The vaccine stock in Nagaland has received a boost on Monday with the arrival of 1 lakh doses from the centre from Government Medical Stores, Depot (GMSD), Kolkata.

A total of 1 lakh doses reached the State’s storage facility on April 26 evening, a press release from Dr Kevichusa Medikhru Principal Director, Directorate of Health and Family Welfare (DoHFW).

This would be a relief for the State health officials, with many expressing concerns over the depleting vaccine stock in the state, though the volume is much lesser than the original order placed by the State government.

There are only 60,000 doses in stock at present in Nagaland, Dr Medikhru had told the media on April 24 leading to a temporary halt in the administration of 1st dose in the State.

The process will resume once the order for 3 lakh doses placed by the State Government arrives next week, he then added.
The order was reportedly placed around three weeks back.

Meanwhile, update from the MyGov India platform on the availability of total doses stated that out of 1.87 doses available across the country at 8am on April 27, there were 1.41 lakh in Nagaland.

 This appeared to be more reconciled figure as when State officials were citing lack of vaccines in the state last week, the data on MyGov India update before the arrival of new consignment were shown to be around 1.53 lakh.

How are vaccine allotted?
According to a State health official, various factors are taken into consideration before the allocation of vaccines to each state by the centre.

 Among others, weekly vaccination data is a key factor – performance based on seven-day rolling average of consumption, the DoFHW release said.    

 Another key factor is the number of active cases in a State during a given week.

The vaccine wastage as per CoWIN data, including database on COVID-19 vaccines, are also taken into consideration.

In addition, stock availability in the state as well as the centre is also taken into considerate before the allocation, a health official said. New vaccines or order for new doses are placed every fortnightly, the official added.

In India, the Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (EVIN) digitises vaccine stocks and monitors the temperature of the cold chain and other logistics.

Vaccination from May 1
With the announcement of free vaccine for 18 years and above after a State cabinet meeting on April 27, there was also concern whether the existing stock would be able to meet the possible increase in demand.

The Monday arrival is not meant for such purposes but for present requirement, it was informed.

The Department has already prepared a checklist on when and how vaccination will roll-out from May 1, the official said.

While the DOHFW has already placed the proposal for the vaccines procurement, the State government has to make the final call.“The state has to place the order and only after that the vaccines will be released,” it was informed.

 “State is in contact with Government of India and vaccine manufacturers to ensure maximum beneficiaries are vaccinated as early as possible,” the release said.

The State, reportedly, will continue with Covishield vaccine and registration for 18-44 years will start on CoWIN portal from April 28.

Meanwhile, the DoHFW’s release co-issued by State Immunisation Officer (UIP) Dr Ritu Thurr also informed that all eligible beneficiaries in the age group may start the registration for availing the vaccines by visiting selfregistration.cowin.gov.in and Aroga Setu App.

“Beneficiaries should book the appointment only after State/department announces availability of vaccines and session made available on CoWin portal,” it said.