Covid vaccination drives will follow the election model

Pune: For the first time since India began its national immunization programme in 1970s, it’s faced with the daunting task of vaccinating a substantial portion of its adult population — maybe even twice.
It will be a massive endeavour. The only adult immunisation the country currently does is via the private sector or for pregnant women.
But the world’s largest democracy will fall back on a playbook it knows well — the way it conducts its general elections.
From registering vaccine beneficiaries, verifying their identity to setting up local vaccination sites, Covid-19 inoculation has all the makings of voting day. Instead of that blue ink on the finger after the franchise, it will be a shot in the arm.
Maharashtra has already enrolled over seven lakh health workers, who will get the vaccine. The state’s immunisation officer D N Patil admitted that they face a “humongous task”. “But the election process outline will work,” he said.
The Union government has developed a digital platform (CO-WIN) to track registered beneficiaries and delivery of vaccines in real-time. A statement from the health ministry said that the registered beneficiaries will be sent messages on their mobile phones detailing the day, date, time, and location where the vaccination will be done. After the first dose is administered, they will receive messages again to return for a second dose.
The government had earlier planned to hold mass immunization in schools and community halls, but that plan was dropped due to the need for a healthcare facility, to handle any adverse reaction to the vaccine in the beneficiaries. A team of five vaccinators – including doctors, paramedics and ASHAs – will be stationed at each vaccination centre.
Netradipa Patil, Kolhapur district head of ASHA workers’ association, said they are already undergoing training on how to carry out the vaccination. “People might be reluctant to take the vaccines, so we have the tough task ahead of convincing them to come forward,” she said.
Along with the technical training, the government also has to address apprehensions on possible side-effects of the vaccines and efficacy despite reports of confirmed mutations from around the world.
Former head of the epidemiology division at the Indian Council of Medical Research, Dr Lalitkant, said that the government will face a lot of “trust deficit” over the safety of the Covid-19 vaccines and will have to quickly win the confidence of millions of citizens.
(With inputs from Rahul Gayakwad in Kolhapur)