Central Govt. issues guidelines for Near to Home COVID Vaccination Centres (NHCVC) for Elderly and Differently Abled Citizens
On 27th May, 2021 the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, issued the aforementioned guidelines. It is recommended that sessions can be conducted in non-health facility based settings and are nearer to home, e.g. in a community centre, RWA centre/office, panchayat ghar, school buildings, old age homes etc. Once identified & verified for meeting CVC criteria, all such sites will be registered on the CoWIN portal as Near to Home Covid Vaccination Centres (NHCVC).
Innovative strategies like the one adopted by Greater Chennai Corporation wherein each zone has been allotted 2 - 4 vehicles for two-way transportation of beneficiaries (differently abled) can be considered. The beneficiary can be linked to a helpline number to avail the support for pickup and drop to the NHCVC.
Registration & appointment through Co-WIN: The beneficiaries can either register themselves in advance, on-site or can be registered following Facilitated Cohort Registration process on Co-WIN.
Making the vaccination center friendly to elderly and persons with special needs-
The session site should be chosen and arranged in a way so as to facilitate entry and exit of elderly and differently abled citizens including provision of wheelchair, seating arrangement, drinking water and toilet facilities.
Differently abled beneficiaries may be allowed to be accompanied by a caregiver/ family member.
Signages must be ensured in the facilities to guide beneficiaries to the vaccination site. Due assistance must be provided for hearing and visually impaired people.
