On Tuesday, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allowing vaccination to be open to all people above the age of 18 years, as India is facing the worst wave of pandemic.

IMA said that presently, they are vaccinating the population above 45 years. Due to the rapid spread of the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, they suggest that the vaccination strategy should be geared up with immediate effect on war foot. IMA is requesting all citizens above 18 years of age to be permitted to receive COVID vaccination.

It has also urged the Prime Minister that private sector clinics should be included in the vaccination drive actively along with private hospitals. The availability of vaccination with all family physicians and doctors can have a positive impact on the vaccination drive. The IMA says that the vaccination certificate should be made compulsory for entering in public places and for receiving products in the public distribution system.

IMA said as an acute upsurge of coronavirus infection has happened and as a measure to break the chain immediately, a limited period of continuous lockdown should be implemented especially for the non-essential areas such as cinema, religious and cultural events, sports, etc.

IMAs letter stated that zero tolerance should be maintained against the non-compliance of COVID appropriate behaviours, expansion of infrastructure beds with oxygen support availability, moral support and enthusiastic activities of frontline healthcare workers, guaranteeing sufficient health care protective gears support and strict adherence to the evidence-based treatment etiquettes are the important factors that are needed in the current situation.

Source: ET Healthworld