Vaccination program

Vaccination to protect the people is proceeding more rapidly in some countries than others, with all the consequences thereof. ASA India takes action to boost the vaccination rate on a community level.

Contributing to the health and safety of the communities

Contribution to the community

Throughout the world, the Covid pandemic impacted the lives of many and the economy as a whole. In India, the lockdowns, which were
implemented over various stages in all states since March 2020, restricted the movement of all people and immensely impacted the livelihoods of especially the low-income people by further complicating their pursuit for a more regular income. Their small businesses often rely on local public transport and on buying and selling goods in public spaces.

An additional challenge for these people has been adhering to advised and/or mandatory measures, such as frequently washing hands with
soap and sanitiser, maintaining basic hygiene and social distancing, due to the high population density in the urban areas and the lack of available resources in the rural areas where many low-income people reside.

The Covid situation in India

The mass vaccination programme in India began in January 2021. It is mandatory to register for vaccination using an ID card such as Aadhar, Voter I card, a driving licence or passport, on the government-approved website or app (Cowin and Aarogya setu). The vaccines are available at government-approved vaccination facilities such as public hospitals, municipalities and centres free of cost or for a fee from registered private hospitals and centres.

Considering India’s social, economic and geographic profile, completing the vaccination has proven to be a large and challenging task. At the time ASA India’s Covid vaccination camp took place, a vaccine was not widely available and accessible everywhere, the registration was somewhat technical and required a computer or smartphone, and not everyone was willing to take the vaccine. This resulted in a meagre 3.6% vaccination rate of India’s population.

Considering that the lives and businesses of low-income people were affected by two lockdowns, the vaccine seemed the safest option ‘to get back to normal’ and was largely welcomed by them.

ASA India’s first Covid vaccination camp

Considering the above, ASA India decided to initiate a free Covid vaccination camp in an area nearby Kolkata with a high population density, where many people needed and wanted a vaccination but could not easily arrange it on their own. The Rajarhat area in Kolkata was selected for the first free vaccination camp for over 400 of the Company’s clients, their husbands and a few staff members who live
in the vicinity and had not been vaccinated yet.

To adhere to the restrictions related to the lockdown, a suitable venue with ample space was found in a school building. To contribute to an efficient rollout of the programme, ASA India joined forces with Narayana Health, a nationally reputed health care organisation in India and already a partner of ASA India for the H.O.P.E cancer programme. Narayana Health covered the vaccine cost, a stand-by ambulance and a professional vaccination team. ASA India covered the day charge of the stand-by doctor and took care of the programme management: organising food, logistics, beneficiary selection, ensuring the beneficiaries reach the venue, and that their registration on Cowin was completed. Moreover, the mobile van, which ASA India previously donated to Narayana Health as part of project H.O.P.E, was used to transport the vaccine at the required temperature.

For more updates on the camps conducted visit ASA India’s website

Vaccination program