Tamil Nadu is the southernmost state of India. The tenth-largest Indian state by area. The state faced distinctive challenges during COVID-19 vaccination implementation. The project team faced challenges such as vaccine hesitancy, complacency, inability to attend vaccination camps due to work timings, fear of adverse events following vaccination, and myths and misconceptions about COVID-19 vaccination. To address these, the project team collaborated with faith based organisations and leaders for social mobilization and awareness generation, supported the setting up of vaccination camps at workplaces, dispelled myths and misconceptions, and instituted peer supporters and youth ambassadors.
The project activities were implemented in 28 districts through 4 sub-awardees: TCIF, HelpAge India, SAATHI, ISAP Foundation
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 programs at the state and district. The team led risk communication activities with the state officials and coordinated efforts to enhance vaccination in low-coverage areas.
the project team leveraged the existing community groups such as CBOs, Women Groups, PRI members, and elderly groups to spread the message of vaccination. Leaders were identified within this group and were oriented on addressing the myths about vaccination in the community.
The project teams reached out to the most vulnerable and secluded groups like salt pan workers, nomadic groups, Sri Lankan refugees and scavengers. The COVID-19 vaccination was made accessible to the groups and their hesitancy regarding the vaccination was addressed.
The vaccination message was widely disseminated through the local art form. The COVID-19 vaccination message was integrated into the act resulting in wider acceptance of the message. Engaging faith-based organization – organisations like the Missionaries of Charity were oriented and engaged to support uptake of vaccination for elderly groups.
To disseminate the learnings and experiences gained by partner organizations SAATHII, ISAP, TCIF, and HelpAge India gained while implementing the COVID-19 vaccination project in the state under the guidance of Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Government of Tamil Nadu under MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity project organized an one day meeting at Chennai, on May 5, 2023.
Representatives were invited from the district health department, various stakeholders who contributed towards reaching the hard-to-reach population were present for the panel. Vaccine ambassadors, champions and volunteers were felicitated
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