<span style="color: #222222;">The Chief Secretary, Chetan B Sanghi chaired the first meeting of the State Steering Committee to review the preparations about COVID-19 vaccine in A&N Islands.  The committee was apprised of the cold chain preparedness, operational planning and human resource mobilization for the anticipated launch of the vaccine.<br />''</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Directorate of Health Services has listed out various Cold Chain Handling Points & Health Care Institutions for vaccine administration sessions as per SOPs. The administration has requested the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to include workers of Andaman Aadi Janjati Vikas Samiti under Tribal Welfare Department in the first phase of proposed vaccine inoculation. The Ministry assured that the issue would be taken up with the National Expert Group for Vaccine Administration. The Committee was also informed about the Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (eVIN) which is under process of implementation in these islands with the help of the United Nations Development Programme(UNDP). eVIN will make online monitoring of all cold chain points possible. The Chief Secretary directed that all prescribed guidelines and timelines issued from time to time by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare be adhered to.  The Chief Secretary also directed the district and block level committees to review the related issues at their level within the stipulated time frame to ensure adequate manning and equipment maintenance of the cold chain points.</span><br />