Online regn on Co-Win a must for jabs from May 1

Online regn on Co-Win a must for jabs from May 1

New Delhi:25.04.2021 

Those in the 18-45 age group eligible for anti-Covid vaccines from May 1will need to mandatorily register online on the Co-Win platform and seek an appointment to get the shot as walk-ins will not be permissible, at least in the beginning of the new inoculation drive. Registration can be done from April 28, reports Sushmi Dey.

Walk-in facility, which got a good response in the 60-plus and 45-plus age groups, is not being provided as the government expects a big jump in the number of vaccinations in phase 3 of the drive at a time when supplies are limited, official sources said. The move is also likely to prevent crowding at vaccination centres.

“Phase 3 means a large number of people, so can’t be implemented without planning. Online registration will help vaccination centres plan sessions in advance, manage crowds as well as supply of vaccines,” a senior official told TOI.

Register additional pvt vax centres: Govt to states

While India administered more than 14 crore doses of Covid-19 vaccines till Saturday 8pm, daily vaccinations are on a decline for nearly three weeks now. On Saturday, 24.22 lakh doses were given till 8pm. Apart from fear of infection amid the current surge, vaccines supplies have been reported to be erratic.

So far, vaccination numbers were largely driven by walk-in beneficiaries. Of the total 12.21 crore registrations till Saturday, over 68% were by walk-ins and merely 11.6% were registered prior vaccination. Apart from these two categories, 2.43 crore health and frontline workers have also been registered by governments and their data pre-populated into the Co-Win system.

The Centre issued an advisory to states asking them to augment infrastructure and suggesting specific measures for the phase 3. Apart from asking states to publicise the “only online registration” for 18-45 age group, the Centre suggested that states should register additional private vaccination centres (CVCs) in mission mode by engaging private hospitals, facilities in industrial establishments and industry associations. It also asked states to monitor number of hospitals that have procured vaccines and have declared stocks and prices on Co-Win.

The Centre also advised states to prioritise decisions regarding direct procurement of vaccines by state and UT governments and coordinate with lawand-order authorities for effective crowd management at CVCs.