Priyanka Sharma1, Geeta Pardeshi2. 1. Senior Resident, Department of Community Medicine, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India. 2. Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportuntities, and threats (SWOT) in the rollout of COVID-19 vaccination campaign in India. METHODS: The internal and external attributes affecting the vaccination rollout identifed by reviewing the scientific literature, government guidelines and press statements along with media reports were categorized into the SWOT matrix. RESULTS: The existing immunization program, indigenous vaccine production, setting up of NEGVAC, updated guidelines, and training followed by dry runs were identified as strengths. The weaknesses identified in the program were knowledge gap about vaccines, apprehensions, lack of temperature loggers and VVM, space contraints in health care set up, demand supply gap, and digital divide.The experience of conducting the general elections, intersectoral coordination forged during the pandemic response, Information Technology platform, and vaccine eagerness present opportunitnies to strenghten program. The emergence of virus variants, commercial interests, laxity in COVID appropriate behaviour, and receding wave of the pandemic can pose significant threats to the implementation of the vaccination campaign. CONCLUSION: The study identified factors which can aid design effective measures and countermeasures for COVID-19 vaccination rollout. This SWOT analysis is relevant to Low and Middle Income countries planning to implement COVID vaccine in the near future.
OBJECTIVE: To identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportuntities, and threats (SWOT) in the rollout of COVID-19 vaccination campaign in India. METHODS: The internal and external attributes affecting the vaccination rollout identifed by reviewing the scientific literature, government guidelines and press statements along with media reports were categorized into the SWOT matrix. RESULTS: The existing immunization program, indigenous vaccine production, setting up of NEGVAC, updated guidelines, and training followed by dry runs were identified as strengths. The weaknesses identified in the program were knowledge gap about vaccines, apprehensions, lack of temperature loggers and VVM, space contraints in health care set up, demand supply gap, and digital divide.The experience of conducting the general elections, intersectoral coordination forged during the pandemic response, Information Technology platform, and vaccine eagerness present opportunitnies to strenghten program. The emergence of virus variants, commercial interests, laxity in COVID appropriate behaviour, and receding wave of the pandemic can pose significant threats to the implementation of the vaccination campaign. CONCLUSION: The study identified factors which can aid design effective measures and countermeasures for COVID-19 vaccination rollout. This SWOT analysis is relevant to Low and Middle Income countries planning to implement COVID vaccine in the near future.
Authors: Robert E Hinson; Wolfgang Hein; Louis N Tettey; Betty A Nartey; Anne Harant; Nicole S Struck; Julius N Fobil Journal: J Public Aff Date: 2021-07-20