[COVID-19] Five reasons why the Central government thinks door-to-door vaccination is not feasible

In an affidavit filed before the Bombay High Court, the Central government has given five reasons why door-to-door vaccination for COVID-19 is not possible..The affidavit filed by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare stated that the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 has been guiding all aspects of the vaccination drive in India..The Ministry mentioned the following five reasons for not having a door-to-door policy for vaccination:.In case of Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI), there might be a delay in reaching the health facility and managing that case may not be as per requirement;There might be challenges to ensure that beneficiary of the vaccination is under observation for at least 30 minutes after vaccination;The vaccine to be administered might be placed in and out of the 'vaccine carrier' for each vaccination thereby increasing the chances of contamination and exposure beyond recommended temperature. This could in turn affect the vaccine efficacy and cause AEFIs which will be reduce the confidence in the vaccines;Due to increase in time to reach beneficiaries, there could be an increase in wastage of vaccines, and It might not be possible to follow the protocols for physical distancing and infection prevention and control during the door to door campaigning..The affidavit was filed in a plea before the High Court seeking door-to-door vaccination. .Responding to a query put by the Bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice GS Kulkarni regarding the mandatory requirement of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for administering vaccine, the Ministry responded that the occurrence of AEFI is very rare and may not necessarily require admission in an ICU.Hence, there is no such requirement for an ICU for the administration of COVID-19 vaccines..During a previous hearing in the case, the High Court had expressed its disapproval at political leaders in Maharashtra getting COVID-19 vaccination at their homes despite there being no door-to-door vaccination policy in place.."If the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) can go to the vaccination centre and get vaccine, then why cannot Maharashtra leaders do the same?" the Court had asked..[Door-to-Door Vaccination] If Prime Minister, President can go to hospital to get COVID-19 vaccine, why can't State leaders? Bombay High Court