Long Awaited Roll Out Begins

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.