Long Awaited Roll Out Begins

Business Standard     1st March 2021     Save    

Context: Involvement of private hospitals in India´s Covid vaccination programme is a step towards expanding the reach of the vaccination drive, but much needs to be done in terms of implementation.

Concerns Related to Implementation of Covid Vaccination Programme

  • Dependence and uncertainty over CoWin platform: previous lapses of platform create uncertainty over registering above 60 and those with comorbidities above 45 on CoWin.
    • Low quality of data upload (due to poor record of government in adapting apps).
  • Abuse of medical data: there might develop a market in medical certificate (listing comorbidities above 45 to get the vaccine in Phase-II) and allow skipping of vaccination.
  • Price cap for vaccine: the ceiling of Rs 250 per shot (with Rs 100 for service charges) might not worth many hospitals and might not encourage higher supplies.

Way Forward

  • Ensure flexible platform: to manage problematic data, or it should not be used for a nationwide rollout programme.
  • Bring proper institutional design: to avoid scandals related to the abuse of medical data.
  • Allow flexibility in service charges: to be levied by hospitals and revisit price ceiling, depending on uptake from hospitals.
  • Overcome vaccine scepticism: lower uptake will only delay the containment of the virus.