Photo feature: Here's what happens in a COVID vaccination dry run

A dry run or mock drill of the COVID-19 vaccination process is underway in all states and union territories, in an attempt to plug loopholes and identify challenges before the actual implementation of the vaccination drive. This is the second dry-run with the first being held on December 28 and 29 in four states. The CoWIN app, a digital platform for rolling out of the vaccination drive, will be tested for its operational feasibility in a field environment for the first time during the drill. The dry run is being conducted on the basis of guidelines issued by the Centre.

N Vinoth Kumar of TheFederal was at the Coonoor General Hospital, one of the 17 dry run centres in Tamil Nadu, to find out what exactly happens. Coonoor was selected to ascertain the operational efficiency for conducting the vaccination programme in a hilly region and to iron out any logistical challenges. There were 25 participants for the Coonoor GH dry run, which started around 9.30 am and had to be completed in two hours — the target was to administer vaccine to 12 people an hour by complying with all COVID guidelines.

Here’s a step-by-step narration of how the two-hour dry run at the Cooonoor GH took place. All photos by N Vinoth Kumar.