New Delhi: The government has permitted door-to-door Covid vaccination drive for differently-abled people and those with restricted mobility, officials said on Thursday. Speaking at press briefing on the Covid situation, NITI Aayog's Dr V.K. Paul said that guidelines have been issued in this regard.

"We are starting vaccinations at home for those who are not able to visit the vaccination centres. Advisory has been issued. Standard operating procedures will be followed," he said. Noting the process will be effective, safe, nurturing, supportive and will follow the standard of guidelines, he said that persons with restricted mobility, disability and special needs that hamper their accessibility to the vaccine centres will get the vaccines at their home, and for this, teams will be formed at the local levels with the support of state government. It is advised that a list of such potential beneficiaries and their caregivers may be prepared in the catchment area of every planning unit and collated at the district level, he added.

Health secretary Rajesh Bhushan also said, “We have written to all states on September 22. This is to ensure equitable citizen-centric approach to vaccination. Any person willing to get vaccinated and who cannot travel to the vaccination centre, we have made this arrangement for them.”

The measure is expected to increase coverage, mainly among those who may be more vulnerable to infection. For example, several elderly who are bed-ridden, or patients of diseases under homecare as well as those with disabilities have found it difficult to reach vaccination centres.

Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana reforms healthcare system: Mandaviya

China sets good example in its successful control of COVID-19: Pak health experts

The central government issued an alert to the states on the increasing cases of dengue