New Delhi: Considering the rapid increase in the number of COVID cases in the country, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking him to include everyone above the age of 18 years in the vaccination drive among series of requests.
Presently, the vaccine is available for people who are above 45 years old. However, in view of the rapid spread of the second wave of the disease, IMA suggested that the vaccination strategy needs to be geared up with immediate effect on war foot.
In its letter, it specifically suggested that all citizens above 18 years of age shall be permitted to receive COVID vaccination. Further, walk-in COVID vaccination should be available for all, free of cost at their nearest possible place.
The association also urged the Prime Minister that private sector family clinics should also be included actively in the vaccination drive along with private hospitals, as availability of vaccination with all doctors and family physicians will have a positive impact on the drive.
Moreover, it asked that a vaccination certificate should be made mandatory certificate for entering into public places and receive products under the public distribution system.
An acute spurt of this disease, as a measure to immediately break the chain, a limited period of continuous lockdown should also be implemented especially for all the non-essential areas like cinema, cultural and religious events, sports, among others, the Association added.
It further showed its willingness to actively take part in the district level vaccine task force team that should be constituted with the public, private participation to enforce mass vaccination and monitoring and mitigating the Adverse drug events, and build confidence.
"Zero tolerance against the non-compliance of Covid appropriate behaviours, augmentation of infrastructure beds and oxygen availability, moral support and enthusiastic engagements of frontline health workers ensuring adequate health care protective gears support and strict adherence to the evidence-based treatment protocols are the key factors needed at this moment," IMA's letter added.