Round 30 disability rights organisations write to PM in search of precedence COVID vaccination for persons- Edexlive

Around 30 disability rights organizations have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Health Minister Harsh Vardhan urging them to give priority to people with disabilities when getting COVID-19 vaccination.

Disability rights groups, including the National Center for the Promotion of Employment of People with Disabilities, the Ektha and Sama Foundation, have highlighted several reasons why people with disabilities should be given the priority admissions.

They included, among other things, physical weaknesses, pre-existing illnesses, communication barriers, close contact with other people for personal care (activities of daily living), social isolation and disruption in social networks, as well as discrimination in access to health facilities, which result in times of deprioritization had limited resources.

“It is important for caregivers, health workers and people with disabilities and the chronically ill to have access to the vaccine. They should (also) be part of decision-making about vaccine priorities and planning how to deal with future public health emergencies,” said Arman Ali, Executive Director of NCPEDP.

In addition, the sector as a whole has called for clarity on the planning of the COVID-19 vaccine for people with disabilities. Rajkt Rajan, co-founder of Ektha, said people with disabilities are the most vulnerable groups when it comes to the pandemic.

“Many of us lack immunity. Most of us cannot maintain social distance because we need support in our daily activities. Many of us cannot understand what is going on around us, as modes and means of communication do for many of us are not accessible. “he said.

Rajan said vaccination prioritization was fair accommodation for people with disabilities and not discrimination.

Prime Minister Modi launched India’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign on Saturday, declaring that the two vaccines used will secure the country a “decisive victory” against the pandemic.

India has approved two vaccines – Covaxin, developed by Bharat Biotech and Covishield from the Oxford / AstraZeneca stable, made by the Serum Institute of India – for emergency use in the country.

According to the government, the shots will be offered first to estimated 1 crore health care workers and approximately 2 crore frontline workers, and then to people over the age of 50, followed by people under 50 with associated comorbidities.