SPD worked to bridge barriers to COVID-19 vaccination among vulnerable populations living in urban slum settlements of Dehradun by bringing vaccination services closer to communities through frequent outreach camps.
The sudden outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing lockdowns disrupted social and economic activities across the world, with India facing significant challenges.
While vaccines became available through nationwide free vaccination campaigns, ensuring equitable access among vulnerable populations—particularly the urban poor living in slums—remained a major challenge.
Recognizing this gap, SPD undertook a targeted vaccination initiative focused on bringing services closer to communities and addressing barriers related to awareness, accessibility and uptake.
The initiative focused on four urban slum settlements of Dehradun and reached a large population through community-based outreach.
The intervention was designed around the practical barriers that vulnerable urban communities faced in accessing COVID-19 vaccination.
SPD focused on reaching vulnerable communities and mobilizing residents to participate in the vaccination initiative.
The outreach approach helped address barriers related to awareness and encouraged eligible community members to access vaccination services.
Frequent outreach camps brought vaccination services closer to people living in targeted urban slum settlements.
The intervention helped improve access and uptake among eligible populations who could otherwise face barriers to vaccination.
For vulnerable urban communities, access to health services can be affected by awareness, distance, accessibility and other practical barriers.
SPD's vaccination drive adopted a community-focused approach by taking vaccination services closer to the targeted settlements through frequent outreach camps.
The initiative demonstrated SPD's ability to mobilize underserved communities and deliver critical public health interventions at the last mile, particularly during a public health emergency.
A visual section for photographs from SPD's vaccination outreach activities. Click any photograph to view it in a larger format.
SPD continues to work towards inclusive and resilient communities across the Himalayan region.