Centre asks states to hold Covid vaccination drive for destitute

The Centre has asked state governments to expand Covid-19 vaccination drive to include the most vulnerable groups like beggars, nomads and destitute.The ministry of health and family welfare has asked states to run special drives with the help of non-governmental organisations to ensure most vulnerable groups are included in the public immunisation drive against Covid-19.

“There is a need to keep the focus of Covid vaccination on the most vulnerable groups to ensure vaccination is equitable and accessible to all. The vaccination of destitute and vagabonds who may not have access to self-registration and lack resources for vaccination need to be facilitated. State/ UTs may adopt a targeted approach to cover this group,” Rajesh Bhushan, secretary (health and family welfare) wrote in a letter addressed to chief secretaries of all states.Earlier the government had given directions to facilitate Covid vaccination of people who did not have the requisite identity cards such as Aadhar and voter id card. “The ministry has already advised all States/ UTs for providing Covid vaccination to such group of people like beggars, nomads, people residing in rehabilitation camps, etc. while sharing the SOPs regarding vaccination of persons who do not possess prescribed identity card. You are, therefore, requested to direct the concerned departments of social justice and empowerment and health in your state to work together to facilitate vaccination of destitute,” the Centre has advised in the letter.