Govt refines vaccine shortlisting: states told to use district data for under-50s with risks

In February 2019, the Centre informed Parliament that it had screened 1.30 crore in the 30-plus category for hypertension following which 9.01 lakh were identified as new cases while 22.69 lakh were under treatment.

So far, official data show, 616 NCD clinics have been set up at the district level and 3,827 at the Community Health Centre (CHC) level, apart from 175 Cardiac Care Units (CCUs) and 214 Day Care Centres for Chemotherapy.

The Centre has asked states to utilise data generated at the district level during screening for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) to identify a priority group that is expected to receive Covid vaccinations early next year: those below the age of 50 with comorbidities, top government sources told The Indian Express.

“The basic document will be the electoral roll, which will provide states with age details of beneficiaries. The states will superimpose this basic document with the NCD screenings that they have conducted. The states can also create their own mechanisms, as health is a subject of the state,” sources said.

Last week, a high-level expert group co-chaired by Dr V K Paul, Member, NITI Aayog, and Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, recommended three groups to be simultaneously vaccinated on priority depending on availability of vaccine: 1 crore health care workers; 2 crore frontline workers, including police and armed forces; and, about 27 crore above the age of 50 and those less than 50 years with comorbidities.

Under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS), launched in October 2010, state governments are mandated to undertake population-based screening at the district level for early detection of NCDs. Those who come to healthcare facilities undergo “opportunistic screening” for detection, referral and follow-up for hypertension, diabetes and select cancer categoriess.

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Besides, as part of the Ayushman Bharat initiative, states use a Community-Based Assessment Checklist (CBAC) for universal screening in the 30-plus age category to sensitise and mobilise the community to avail services for chronic illnesses at Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs).

The CBAC is designed to collect details of history of symptoms and includes family history of high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and presence of common symptoms for common cancers, epilepsy and respiratory diseases.

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In February 2019, the Centre informed Parliament that it had screened 1.30 crore in the 30-plus category for hypertension following which 9.01 lakh were identified as new cases while 22.69 lakh were under treatment. Similarly, the government said it had screened 97.78 lakh for diabetes of which 8.90 lakh were new cases and 12.13 lakh under treatment. For oral cancer, breast cancer and cervical cancer, it said that over 1 crore were screened of which 37,768 were new cases and 4,215 under treatment.

Kaunain Sheriff M

As City Editor ( Delhi) at the Indian Express, Kaunain Sheriff leads city reporting with a sharp focus on accountability journalism, data-driven stories, and ground-level impact. As the National Health Editor he leads the newsroom’s in-depth coverage of pressing health issues. He is the author of Johnson & Johnson Files: The Indian Secrets of a Global Giant, a definitive investigation into the accountability of one of the world’s most powerful pharmaceutical corporations. Areas of Expertise Investigative Reporting: Has deep expertise in investigative reporting spanning public health, regulatory affairs, drug safety, and the criminal justice system. His work sits at the intersection of governance, law, and accountability, with a particular focus on how regulatory failures, institutional lapses, and policy decisions affect citizens’ rights and safety. Data Journalism: Has extensively on big data–driven investigations, including analyses of flagship government schemes and large datasets on criminal trials, uncovering systemic gaps. Global Collaborations Kaunain is a key contributor to major international journalistic projects: The Implant Files: Collaborated with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) to expose global malpractices in the medical device industry. Chinese Big-Data Investigation: Uncovered how a foreign data firm monitored thousands of prominent Indian institutions and individuals in real-time. Awards & Recognition His commitment to "Journalism of Courage" has been recognized with the industry's highest honors: Ramnath Goenka Award for Excellence in Journalism SOPA Award (Society of Publishers in Asia) Red Ink Award (Mumbai Press Club) Indian Express Excellence Awards (Triple recipient for investigations into the NSA abuse in UP, Vyapam scam, and the anti-Sikh riots). Education: Studied Mechanical Engineering at Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), Bangalore, before moving to Delhi to pursue his passion for journalism. His engineering training informs his analytical approach, enabling him to decode technical, legal, and data-heavy systems with precision. Social media LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kaunain-sheriff-3a00ab99 X ( fromerly Twitter): @kaunain_s ... Read More

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