A two-day training programme on adult BCG vaccination for medical officers and health staff from Nicobar District was conducted on 19 and 20 November at the Directorate of Health Services, bringing together frontline personnel for a focused orientation on operational and technical aspects of the programme. The sessions were jointly organised by the Central TB Division of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the State TB Cell, and the State Immunization Division of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The event was held in hybrid mode, combining virtual technical sessions from national-level experts with in-person facilitation by state trainers. Senior officials including the Deputy Director General (TB), the Additional Commissioner of the Central TB Division, and the Director of Health Services addressed the inaugural session. They outlined the significance of adult BCG vaccination as part of TB prevention strategies and briefed participants on national priorities guiding the rollout of the pilot initiative in Nicobar.
The training brought together six medical officers and thirteen health staff members from the district, who were taken through detailed modules covering beneficiary identification, documentation protocols, micro-planning, and reporting formats. Trainers emphasised the importance of structured planning at the field level to ensure uniform implementation across remote and dispersed habitations, which remain a defining feature of the Nicobar region.
Participants were introduced to vaccine administration techniques, including procedures for safe delivery, adherence to dosing guidelines, and post-vaccination observation. Given the island’s climate and logistical constraints, cold-chain management was highlighted as a critical area of focus. Trainers outlined steps to maintain temperature integrity across transportation points, storage units, and field-level delivery sites. Health workers were also briefed on AEFI preparedness, with discussions centred on early identification of adverse events, reporting protocols, and coordination with relevant medical facilities.
Biomedical waste handling, a central component of immunisation activity, formed another important segment of the training. The sessions explained safe disposal practices, segregation norms, and documentation requirements aligned with national and state health guidelines. Trainers noted that proper waste handling is essential for maintaining public health standards and preventing cross-contamination at vaccination sites.
Officials familiar with TB control efforts in the islands said the training is expected to strengthen preparedness for the adult BCG vaccination pilot, which aims to supplement ongoing TB prevention measures. The State TB Officer briefed participants on the epidemiological situation in the islands, explaining the rationale for introducing adult vaccination alongside child immunisation efforts. The overview included recent trends, high-priority groups, and challenges posed by geography, mobility constraints, and limited access in certain pockets.
For many participants, the two-day session provided an opportunity to clarify operational concerns and understand the documentation flow required as part of the vaccination process. Discussions also touched on field-level bottlenecks, strategies for community engagement, and approaches to maintaining continuity of services in areas with inconsistent connectivity.
The organisers noted that building health worker capacity is a core component of the rollout plan and will play a decisive role in the smooth execution of the pilot in Nicobar. As the training concluded, participants expressed readiness to implement the guidelines and integrate the technical instructions into their field responsibilities. Additional follow-up sessions and supervisory visits are expected as the programme progresses, ensuring uniform implementation across all identified areas.
The training forms part of sustained efforts by health authorities to enhance TB prevention through coordinated action across national and state agencies. With the adult BCG pilot marking a significant step in disease prevention strategy, health workers in Nicobar District are expected to play a central role in its on-ground delivery.
