New Delhi: Despite various obstacles along the way, India rigorously expanded the COVID-19 vaccination program. This was further elaborated on in the last Economic Survey 2023which was introduced at the Rajya Sabha on January 31 by the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman. According to survey, India has been able to manage over Rs 220 crore COVID vaccine dose across the country with the help of a strong digital infrastructure.
This year’s economic survey confirms the co-win platform that allows the administration of more than 220 crore of doses of COVID-19 vaccine in the shortest possible time. With the efforts of the government and the extensive deadlock of the digital framework, India could record a fast and lasting economic recovery while continuing to secure lives and livelihoods. With over Rs 84.7 crores of Co-WIN recipients sown with Aadhaar out of a total of Rs 104 crores (between Jan 2021 and Sep 2022), JAM seeds sown in FY 2015 proved to be a lifeline for the nation.
Emphasizing the vitality of Co-WIN, which has been developed as an extension of the eVIN (Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network) platform, in India’s national Covid-19. vaccination program, the survey highlighted the comprehensive cloud-based IT solution for planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and provided an end-to-end solution with utilities for the entire public health system. The dual interface further plugged the waste of COVID-19 vaccines, which otherwise occurred prior to Co-WIN.
The survey summarizes several key challenges such as research and development of new COVID vaccines, training of more than 2.6 lakh vaccinators and 4.8 lakh other members of the vaccination team, optimal utilization of available vaccines , the population that is difficult to access and the need to guarantee all essential health services. together with the expansion of the vaccination program. The Economic Study finds that the program was able to overcome these challenges and meet its objectives in a short period of time.
Speaking of Co-WIN’s strong digital infrastructure, the survey mentions that 97% of eligible beneficiaries have already received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and about 90% have received both doses.
The survey finds that even before COVID hit, India had set the strategy for mass vaccination while running year-long programs for various other diseases.
“Over the years, the government focused on digital health service delivery by absorbing the basic philosophy of “Antyodaya”. However, the need for comprehensive digitalization in the vaccination process was felt, as this was the only way to achieve herd immunity.during the pandemic.While many economies had to develop a model from scratch, India was in a comfortable position.Thanks to the vision of the JAM trinity government, the critical challenge was addressed in a determined term through Co-WIN (Covid Vaccine Intelligence Network) in the implementation of the National Vaccination Program against Covid-19”, adds the survey.
The Economic Survey notes, when looking at the historical perspective of vaccinations in India, that vaccinations in India date back to 1802, when the first dose of smallpox vaccine was recorded. Tracking the medical history of vaccinations back then was a difficult task. However, in the contemporary setting, we have made substantial progress in the digital journey, and most medical science searches are just a “click” away.
India’s National Covid-19 Vaccination Program, which is the largest vaccination program in the world, started on January 16, 2021 and has been extended to include vaccination for the age group 12-14 years from March 16, 2022, followed by the precautionary dose for the age group 18-59 years from April 10, 2022. In addition, precautionary doses of Rs 22.4 crore were administered, added the survey.
