Tarun Karthick
Campbell Bay, 04 December 2024
A day-long training program focused on Adverse Event Following Immunisation (AEFI), Surveillance, and Response Operational Guidelines – 2024 was held at the Conference Hall of AYUSH Hospital, Sri Vijaya Puram. The event was jointly organised by the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the National Health Mission (NHM), and the Directorate of Health Services (DHS), Andaman and Nicobar Administration.
The program was inaugurated by Dr. Anil Agarwal, Secretary (Health), A&N Administration, who attended as the chief guest. Also present were Dr. Suja Antony, Director (Health), Dr. Subhodeep Bhuiyan, Consultant WHO, and other officials from UNDP and DHS.
In his address, Dr. Agarwal stressed the importance of maintaining the quality of vaccination, improving supply chain management, and enhancing data reporting systems. Dr. Suja Antony highlighted the critical role of proper vaccination reporting in the Islands.
A total of 26 Medical Officers from various parts of the Union Territories of Andaman and Nicobar Islands attended the training. The session focused on familiarising participants with the new Handbook on AEFI Surveillance & Response Operational Guidelines – 2024, published by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW), New Delhi.
The training aimed to enhance vaccination coverage across the Islands, particularly by improving reporting practices and focusing on AEFI case documentation. It also provided an opportunity to orient healthcare professionals on the introduction of new vaccines and the surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases.