Punjab, a state in Northern India, shares its borders with Himachal Pradesh to the north,
Haryana to the south, and Chandigarh to the east. MOMENTUM Routine Immunization
Transformation and Equity funded by U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has
provided the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and State Government technical
assistance and all-round support to increase the demand and uptake of the vaccine amongst
vulnerable and marginalized communities residing in the state.
The Project, under the leadership of the State Government, built a seamless value chain of
vaccine facilitators and many significant links in the process that translated to successful
vaccine delivery within the state. Punjab’s COVID-19 vaccination drive stands testimony to
how unity in thought and action can win impossible battles. The foundation of this success
is the seamless coordination, cooperation, and interdisciplinary exchange between all our
stakeholders.
The Project is being implemented in 18 districts of Punjab through 4 sub-awardees:
Transport Corporation of India (TCI), SARD, MAMTA, and HelpAge India
To increase the uptake of COVID-19 vaccination, the project supports the Government of India
and the state
Government in vaccination planning, inter-departmental coordination,
need-based monitoring, enhanced
community engagement and prioritization of activities
for COVID-19 vaccination program at the state and
district. The team led the risk
communication activities with the state officials and
coordinated efforts to enhance
vaccination in low coverage areas.
The Project is being implemented in 18 districts of Punjab through 4 sub-awardees: Transport Corporation of India (TCI), SARD, MAMTA, and HelpAge India.
SARD in Transgender persons Community leaders, and pregnant and lactating women in Abohar City, Golden Temple in Amritsar and other districts.
MAMTA works closely with pregnant and lactating women, substance abusers, school children, IAP/IMA-FOGSI and drug de-addiction center – in Bhatinda urban and other districts.
HelpAge India works with elderly and persons with Persons with disability, Mentally challenged population, Orphans, destitute in Pingalwara Ashram and other districts.
The Project joined hands with local NGOs and mobilizers to reach transgender deras in Punjab. Targeted interventions and vaccination drives conducted by the Project and its partners. The state project team had an enlightening discussion with the transgender community leaders in the audience who have joined them in their efforts to spread vaccine confidence in the rural areas of Punjab.
The Project joined hands with local NGOs and mobilizers to reach transgender deras in Punjab. Targeted interventions and vaccination drives conducted by the Project and its partners. The state project team had an enlightening discussion with the transgender community leaders in the audience who have joined them in their efforts to spread vaccine confidence in the rural areas of Punjab.
The project, along with sub-awardee SARD, partnered with National Book Trust to create 3
storybooks: "Say Yes to Vaccine," "Impacting Reality: Stories of Resilience" for age groups
12-14 and 15-18. These books, in Hindi, Punjabi, and English, engage religious leaders, PRI
members, transgenders, frontline workers, etc., on COVID-19 vaccination. Content covers
science, myths, India's pandemic support, and vaccination drive, released at the World Book
Fair (March 4, 2023).
Guests included Prof. Govind Prasad Sharma, Chairman, NBT-India; Mr. Yuvraj Malik, Director,
NBT; Mr. Sudhir Bhatnagar, CEO, SARD; Mr. Ashok Raisinghani, Director Operations, JSI-India.
On May 19, 2023, the project state team and SARD organized a Learning & Experience Sharing
meeting. Dr. Balbir Singh, Punjab Health Minister, graced the event, praising the Momentum
Routine Immunization project for expanding COVID-19 vaccination in Punjab. Mr. Vijay Paul
Raj, Senior Health System Strengthening Advisor, USAID India, lauded the project's
innovative strategies, like engaging Faith-based organizations and targeting vulnerable
communities in unconventional places like Grain Markets.
The event included the release of a coffee table book showcasing the project's journey in
Punjab, attended by various government dignitaries.
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