Asha, Anganwadi workers to accelerate immunization drive in Delhi

Amid the rising coronavirus cases, Delhi Women and Child Development Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam yesterday chaired a review meeting for vaccination and facilitation of medical services through Accredited Social Health Activists (Asha) and Anganwadi workers (AWW) in the community.

The meeting was attended by the senior officials of the Department of Women and Child Development (DWCD) and the Department of Health (DOH).

After the meeting, Gautam said: "In view of Covid-19, it is essential to protect yourself and others around you, as the care and precaution is the utmost priority but child immunization program is a necessity to keep the future of children healthy and safe."

Gautam said that DWCD has been directed to start the process of vaccination and immunization with all necessary precautions with the help of Asha and Anganwadi workers.

The Minister further said that the ongoing activity of immunization was disrupted due to Covid-19 lockdown but after the partial Unlock, the immunization has been considered an essential aspect for which a decision has been taken to restore the facilities to children in the best possible manner.

He informed us that the Department of Health and Family Welfare has a vital role as it supports organizing immunization camps every month.

Gautam said that the DWCD through its 10,000 Anganwadi centers in the national capital plays an important role in getting the children enrolled in the centers immunized.

"This is done by holding immunization camp in each Anganwadi center every month in coordination with the Health Department," he said.

In September, the DWCD and the Department of Health will start the immunization program.

"Under this, the Anganwadi workers will facilitate the medical functionaries for the outreach program for immunization. The AWW and Anganwadi Helpers (AWH) will help Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANM) and Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) to organize and co-ordinate immunization camps in the capital," Gautam said.

He said the immunization camp will be organized once a month at each Anganwadi center.

"During the immunization camp, the AWW and AWH will mobilize the children due to immunization. One attendant with each child must be ensured by the AWW at the time of immunization. For the immunization program, proper social distancing with all the safety measures will be ensured," Gautam added..