Union Minister for Health and Sports Dr Myint Htwe led the first ‘tabletop exercise’ on 12 January, with the discussion about preparations for the countrywide COVID-19 vaccination programme in Myanmar.
At the meeting, the Union Minister explained the reason for this exercise which is crucial for any major programme in public healthcare.
He also discussed different schedules of vaccination depending on available brand , type and amount of the vaccine.
The government will conduct the ‘tabletop exercise’ for three times at the national level and one time at least at the sub-national levels ahead of vaccination against COVID-19 in the country.
Director Dr Htar Htar Linn from the Public Health Department and the respective working groups reported on the expected amount of vaccine in each time, people with 65-year old and above as prioritized groups and storage temperature of the vaccine from normal lower temperatures to ultra-low freezing temperatures, coordination with the relevant ministries to distribute the vaccines by roads or by air within 24 hours, registration of people for vaccination by using the version 2 of the District Health Information Software, public information about vaccination programmes, surveillance of adverse event following immunization and the overall expected budget for vaccination programme and effective implementation of the plans.
The Union Minister then coordinated the discussions and made suggestions about conducting training for health workers in COVID-19 vaccination, and exchanging information about the vaccine among health officials.
The first ‘tabletop exercise’ was taken part by the Deputy Minister, the permanent secretary, the director-general and the deputy directors-general from the departments of Public Health and Medical Services, the members of COVAX National Coordinating Committee and the COVAX National Technical Working Group and the officials of vaccination project.
MNA
(Translated by Aung Khin)
Photo:MNA
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