The second wave of the COVID 19 pandemic in India saw an unprecedented number of cases and high mortality which is overwhelming the health system with shortage of oxygen, hospital beds, medicines, etc. Many states in the country are currently under full or partial lockdown which is adversely impacting the economic condition of the vulnerable and marginalized populations. To control the Pandemic, Government of India is implementing the largest Immunization drive in the world which now includes immunization of all above 18 years of age. The Government has set the target to immunize all citizens above 18 years of age by December 2021.

Due to lack of awareness and fear of Stigma and Discrimination, the Key populations including the Transgender community may face difficultly in accessing COVID 19 vaccination. Many cited non-availabilities of proper personal documents as a challenge in registration for vaccination. In this regard, Government of India has come up with SOPs for vaccination without documents, but it is likely that majority of the Transgender community and other key populations may not be aware of these guidelines. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) through its communication dated 20th May have written to all States/UTs to facilitate the vaccination of the Transgender persons in an enabling and discrimination free environment. UNDP in collaboration with its CBO partners will coordinate with the State Health and Social Welfare departments to plan and organize Immunization camps for the Transgender and other key populations. The camps will also create awareness on COVID 19 Appropriate Behaviors, The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2019 and the welfare measures associated with it. The camp will also be utilized to access the current utilization of different social protection schemes by the individuals and link them to the eligible schemes. With support from UNDP India, the foundation successfully vaccinated 1000 Transgender/Hijra and other vulnerable populations in the state of Haryana.