Covid vaccine dry run: Nearly 250 healthcare staff participate in Dakshina Kannada

MANGALURU: Nearly 250 healthcare workers in Dakshina Kannada district participated in the mock exercise held as part of the Covid-19 vaccine dry run on Friday.
Doctors, nurses and other staff including drivers in the health sector were "administered" vaccine shots during the mock exercise at nine centres including Government Wenlock District Hospital in the city ensuring district's preparedness for the upcoming Covid vaccination drive.
In addition to Wenlock Hospital, the dry runs were conducted at Urban Public Health Centre (PHC) in Surathkal, Bantwal Taluk Hospital, Community Health Centre in Kadaba, PHC in Naravi, Yenepoya Medical College, Deralakatte, KVG Medical College, Sullia, Indiana Hospital and KS Hegde Medical Academy in Deralakatte.
“The whole exercise went on well. We did not face any hurdles anywhere. In fact, we have been carrying out vaccination drives for children for the past several years and this will not be a difficult task for us,” district health and family welfare officer Dr Ramachandra Bairy told TOI.
He said that doctors, nurses, and other staff from the healthcare sector, who were registered for the Covid-19 vaccines in the first phase, participated in the dry run. “In fact, the government has directed us to conduct dry runs in seven centres. However, we have made two more private hospitals to conduct the mock exercise so that it will make them prepared. Each centre carried out a drive with the participation of 25 beneficiaries. We have made all preparations for the first phase of the vaccination drive. Sufficient number of vaccine carriers that maintain the temperature while transporting vaccine vials have been kept ready. All infrastructure used for the vaccination of children will be used for the Covid-19 vaccination drive too. Our staff have the experience in vaccination drive as they have already taken part in inoculating lakhs of children in the past. Since the vaccine against Covid-19 is a new one, we have to see if it has any adverse effects,” he added.