COVID-19 Surge: Kerala to set up vaccination camps in schools for students from Jan 19

The authorities decided that Schools with more than 500 beneficiaries will be selected as vaccination sites. District task forces with the help and assistance of the education department will identify the schools where COVID-19 vaccination will be administered.

The Kerala Government in its latest guidelines directed the authorities to start COVID-19 vaccination in schools for students aged between 15 to 18 years from January 19. The government conducted a review meeting along with Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty and Health Minister Veena George to take a decision on jabbing students.  In the meeting, the authorities decided that Schools with more than 500 beneficiaries will be selected as vaccination sites. District task forces with the help and assistance of the education department will identify the schools where COVID-19 vaccination will be administered.

In a statement, Education Minister V Sivankutty said, "967 schools with above 500 student beneficiaries each shall be transformed into vaccination centres from January 19 for children between the age group of 15 to 18 years. A total of 8.14 lakh students will get vaccinated."

In order to set up vaccination camps for students, school authorities have to ensure the waiting area, vaccination room and observation room. According to Veena George, school vaccination sessions will be linked with nearby Government COVID-19 vaccination centres.

The authorities have to prepare the list of students receiving COVID-19 vaccination in a single day and to inform the students about the timing allotted to them.

Registration of all students eligible for vaccination on the Co-Win portal is a must. All security measures along with thermal scanning of students should be ensured before vaccination, Veena George said.

The minister further stated that the authorities would ensure that students having temperature will not be administered vaccine doses. Children will be observed for 30 minutes after vaccination and the authorities will ensure the ambulance with oxygen facility if any child faces any health issues. COVID-19 vaccination team would include A medical officer from the health department, a vaccinator, a staff nurse, and support staff from the schools.

Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI) management centre has been decided for treatment of children if needed.

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