Lok Sabha Question No. 169 (STARRED), answered on 2021-02-12
Subject: Awareness about COVID Vaccine
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Raghu Ramakrishna Raju Kanumuru, Bheemrao Baswanthrao Patil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 169 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12 TH FEBRUARY , 2021 AWARENESS ABOUT COVI D VACCINE

## *169. SHRI KANUMURU RAGHU RAMA KRISHNA R AJU: SHRI B.B.PATIL:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of doses that are required to complete the vaccination proc COVID - 19 and the number of days required for the body to get immunity to virus;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to initiate an awareness drive to co the issues/doubts arising out of the effects of the vaccine and instill c in the people;
- (c) if so, the details of steps/measures taken by the Government in this d; and
- (d) the funds allocated for the purpose?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

(DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

- (a)to ( d)A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEME NT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 169* FOR 12 TH FEBRUARY , 2021

(a) to (d) Two COVID - 19 vaccines, presently being used in our country, requi completion  of  two - dose  schedule  at  an  interval  of  28  days  to  complete  th vaccination  process.  It  takes  around  14  days  after  second  dose  to  de immunity against the SARS - CoV - 2 virus.

A Communication strategy has been developed for implementation at th National  and  State  level  to  raise  awareness  about  the  safety,  efficac immunogenicity of COVID - 19 vaccines through prompt and consistent dissemination of factual information and to a ddress misinformation related to it. The  strategy  is  based  on  five  key  pillars -viz,  advocacy,  capacity  building, media  engagement,  community  engagement  and  crisis  management.  The strategy  aims  to  leverage  people's  ownership  ( Jan  Bhagidaari) in  taking  the awareness about vaccination drive and its intended benefits forward.

For  successful  implementation  of  the  strategy,  several  measures  h been taken so far. These include capacity building of stakeholders at Na and State level including State Immuniz atio  and IEC officials, Civil Society Organizations,  Radio  including  Community  Radio  professionals,  etc.  f leveraging  their  networks  for  active  campaigning  to  create  awareness  a benefits of vaccination. Aggressive advocacy to build vaccine confidenc e has been done through reputed public and private sector Doctors at National and  in  States/Union  Territories  (UTs)  who  have  received  vaccination through other key influencers. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is carrying out real - timereview of news reports and developing and disseminating content on building confidence in vaccines and to counter less than ade informed media narrative.   A special campaign against vaccine hesitancy also  been  launched  by  the  Union  Minister  for Health  and  Family  Welfare.

The  Ministry  also  reached  out  to  22  Central  line  ministries  including Development,  Panchayati  Raj,  Ministry  of  Information  and  Broadcasting  an MyGov  etc.  for  engaging  their  field  level  networks  to  support information dissemination and social mobilization.

Other measures include:  a special webpage on information pertaining COVID 19 vaccine ( https://www.mohfw.gov.in/covid\_vaccination/ vaccination /

index.html);  national  helpline  number  1075  to  answer  queries  regard COVID - 19 vaccination drive; a new pre - caller tune; dissemination of communications  package  comprising  of  posters,  banners,  leaflets,  bilin Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and vi deos with information on COVID 19 across  States/  UTs;  Panel  discussions  and  interviews  on  Television;  Di campaigning  on  Social  media  platforms;  publication  of  articles  in  m National and Regional dallies etc.

A total of INR 480 crore have been allo cated to the States/UTs for operational costs for COVID - 19 vaccination. This also includes cost for IEC material a awareness activities to be conducted to counter the issues/doubts arising the effects of the vaccine and instill confidence in the p eople.

****