Climbing over connectivity challenge

Despite enthusiasm among the residents, it hasn’t been easy for authorities.

“After seniors, now young people are enthusiastic about getting vaccinated. The challenge in this area is limited internet connectivity, so it becomes difficult for them to log on to the Co-win portal to get registered,” says Padma, the ASHA worker who has been visiting the area.

At the core of India’s mammoth vaccination drive, which began on January 16, is the Co-win digital platform where users have to register to get vaccination slots. The norms allow people in the 45-plus age group and other high-risk groups to turn up at vaccination centres without prior registrations. However, walk-in inoculations are not allowed for the younger age groups so far.

Kaza additional district magistrate Gian Sagar Negi says the state government was requested this month to permit offline registration for vaccinations, and chief minister Jai Ram Thakur subsequently allowed it due to the lack of internet connectivity in the remote valley.

“Now 80% of the registration for vaccination is being done offline. Booking is done by calling up the health department and the slot is allotted based on lottery; 20% of the registration are still being done online but everyone has to first register for vaccination,” Lahaul and Spiti deputy commissioner Pankaj Rai says.

Till Thursday evening, 12,387 doses of the vaccine had been given in the district with a population of 31,564. year, the Kaza block, has taken the lead on vaccination in the district.

“People have no hesitancy in getting inoculated as they know that the health infrastructure in the region is limited. Everyone here wants to be protected from the virus,” says Padma. Vaccination for the younger age groups also began this week.

“Himachal Pradesh has high ranking in the universal immunisation programme. In the tribal regions and those inaccessible by road we would depute more staff and the registrations are now being made offline,” says Dr Nipun Jindal, director of National Rural Health Mission in the state.