Vaccination Campaign – Doosra Dashak

Since the first wave of COVID in 2020, DD has been closely engaged with the local communities through ration and medical kit distribution, sanitation of public places and preventive measures. By the time the second wave hit, most people in the villages were aware of Covid-19 protocols. However, they were hesitant about taking vaccinations. Myths and misconceptions were widely prevalent. The devastation caused by the pandemic had led to a sense of fear and panic.  

In the autumn of 2020, the Azim Premji Foundation (APF), approached FED to partner with them to organise a COVID Vaccination Campaign in DD’s project blocks towards achieving 100% vaccination. Following meticulous planning at the grassroots level in collaboration with the State Medical and Health Department, the campaign was launched on Gandhi Jayanti’ (2 October 2021) in 9 blocks of 6 districts. 1179 villages were covered in this campaign. Strategies were debated and refined between SCU and the block teams. In order to reach the remotest habitations strong, highly motivated teams were recruited at short notice in every block and trained for the arduous task in hand. DD also conducted workshops with frontline workers and officials of the Health Department at the Block and village level to brief them on vaccination protocols, the risks involved and the benefits accruing for all.  

Household baseline surveys were conducted in each village in three phases to prepare lists of individuals and families who were required to be vaccinated. Seven lakhs thirty one thousand eight hundred and ninety five people were identified for vaccination in the 18 + age group. 

Strategies:

  • A massive public awareness campaign was launched to sensitise the community and disseminate evidence-based information. Wall posters, banners, pamphlets in the local language and public address system mounted on vehicles were widely employed to spread the message.
  • Regular meetings with health department units, sharing of data captured through household surveys and joint strategies adopted to local needs were important parts of the process
  • DD volunteers worked with the health department to organise additional vaccination camps for identified communities who most needed such camps and circulated schedules of vaccination in community/villages
  • Updation of lists on mobile phones supported documentation, monitoring and reporting
  • In view of the difficulties faced by remote communities, the elderly citizens above 80 years of age and the people with disabilities in reaching vaccination sites, special transportation was arranged     
  • Frequent follow up, tracking and reviews were conducted
  • Scheduling of vaccinations for working class people whose work shifts began early morning and they only returned late at night after their work-day. 
  • 675 volunteers recruited by DD from the local communities working in active coordination with the local community and their representatives to manage and implement the campaign. This helped DD to reach the most remote and isolated communities where the local administration was unable and/or unwilling to go.

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