Why in News?

The Health Ministry formed an expert committee on vaccine administration, under the chairmanship of NITI Aayog member V.K. Paul.

About the panel

• The panel would consider the logistics and ethical aspects of procurement and administration of COVID-19 vaccine.
• The committee would engage with all stakeholders, including State governments and vaccine manufacturers.

First meeting

• India would leverage domestic vaccine manufacturing capacity as well as engage with all international players for the early delivery of vaccines in India as well as in low and middle income countries, the first ever meeting of the panel decided.
• The meeting was chaired by Dr. V.K. Paul, Member, Niti Aayog, along with Secretary (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare) as co-Chair.
• The expert group deliberated on a “conceptualisation and implementation mechanism” to create a digital infrastructure for inventory management and delivery mechanism of the vaccine, including tracking of the vaccination process, with particular focus on the last mile delivery.
• The expert group discussed the financial resources required for procurement of COVID-19 vaccine and various options of financing the same.
• India’s support to its key neighbours and development partner countries for COVID-19 vaccines was also deliberated upon. 

Reference:

1. https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/first-vaccine-committee-meet-decides-on-wide-engagement/article32338941.ece