It is the right of all citizens of this world, to receive the Covid-19 vaccine, free of cost, from their governments. All countries need to prepare blueprints to inoculate their citizens within 100 days, of the vaccine being freely available. This is a global challenge. We are short of vaccines now, but we could be flush with them in some months. So, we must galvanise. This 100-Day vaccination challenge should be led by the President or the Prime Minister.
Nations conduct general elections covering their entire populations, within 40 to 60 days. So, inoculating everybody within 100 days, should be feasible.
Forecasting of Doses: There is need to forecast the precise number of doses the country will require by region, town and village. The
Daily Vaccination Target: There has to be a daily target for inoculation by region and city.This parameter should also be monitored daily.
Boost Vaccine Production:
Vaccine Budgets: The
Sourcing Vaccines: The major challenge will be to source the requisite quantities of the vaccine. The
Ancillary Equipment: Countries will need vials, syringes, needles, etc., to inoculate millions of citizens. Large population countries like
Logistical Challenges: Vaccinating entire countries within a few months will be a logistical challenge, requiring rigorous planning. The war on Covid-19, is akin to the D-Day beach landings in Normandy,
Transporting Vaccines: The vaccines can be transported by planes, trucks and vans in the urban areas. The challenge will be transporting them to small and remote villages, which will necessitate local innovations. The vaccines can be packed in ice cold boxes and be transported on motor cycles and bicycles.
Storage of Vaccines:
Involve Private Companies: Private companies have robust cold chains and distribution systems, reaching remote villages. Companies like Coke, Pepsi, Colgate, Nestle,
Rollout Strategy: To complete the rollout of the vaccine in 100-days, public and private hospitals, should play a pivotal role. The premises of theatres, colleges, schools and sports complexes should also be deployed.
Inoculating Staff: Adequate doctors, para-medical staff and nurses will be needed, to organise the vaccination drive. Medical students should also be roped in for the massive inoculation programme.
Prioritisation in Vaccination: Health workers, involved in the vaccination, should be inoculated on a priority basis. Senior citizens should ideally be inoculated at their homes. Over-crowded slums should also receive priority in developing countries.
Continue Precautions: The vaccines will be rolled out after trials and institutional clearances. However, we are not yet clear about how many dosages will be required or how long the vaccines will remain effective. Sometimes, vaccines take decades to perfect. So, it will be provident to continue precautions like washing, masking and distancing for some time, even after receiving the vaccine.
Spend Money: Some countries may not have adequate money to buy the vaccine. They should not worry about it and must just spend the moneys at this stage. There will be time to recoup expenses later, when the economies normalise. Right now, just spend to save lives and shift the economies from the ICUs onto their feet.
Convince Doubters: In many countries, some people have taken a stand against vaccines. For instance, in the
Deploy
Vaccination Proof: Every person who gets vaccinated, should be given a vaccination card certifying it. People should carry this card, like an identity card. It should be a pre-requisite to travelling by plane or train or even attending public functions.
Must
Aneja, former Managing Director of Unilever Tanzania, is an alumnus of the
Quote
Governments should make the 100-Day rollout work. The world is in a suspended state of ennui, since Covid-19 emerged to haunt us. The economies of nations have stalled. People live in fear and apprehension. When the vaccine comes, we must move with lightning speed
Copyright This Day. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com)., source