- Tuesday, April 23, 2024
By: Shubham Ghosh
The Indian health ministry on Wednesday (23) rubbished media reports alleging that homeless people have been “barred” from registering for the Covid-19 vaccine because of unavailability of technical requirements as “baseless”.
In a statement, the ministry said there have been some reports alleging that the homeless have been “barred and conspicuously left out” from registering for the life-saving vaccine because of unavailability of the technical requirements. It said those reports alleged that the “requirement to register digitally”, “knowledge of English and access to computer or a smartphone connected to the internet” are some of the reasons that are depriving such people from getting the vaccine.
“These claims are baseless and not based on facts,” the ministry said, clarifying that the ownership of a mobile phone, producing an address proof and pre-registering on the CoWIN platform are not prerequisites for getting the vaccine.
It also said that for the convenience of the users, Co-WIN is now available in 11 languages besides English and the platform is an inclusive information technology system that facilitates vaccination coverage in the remotest parts of India as well as for those who are among the most vulnerable sections.
Government made special provisions for vaccination
The statement said while one of the nine identity cards, including Aadhar, voter ID card, ration card with photo, disability ID card, is required for the vaccine shots, special provisions have been made by the government for holding vaccination sessions for those who may not have any of those nine identity cards or even a mobile phone.
Under these provisions, more than two lakh people have been vaccinated so far, the ministry’s statement said. It added that the government issued an advisory on May 27 for near-to-home vaccination centre services for the elderly and differently-abled persons. For those who may not have access to the internet or smartphones or even basic mobile phones, free on-site registration and vaccination has been made available at all government vaccination centres. The ministry said 80 per cent of all vaccine doses administered so far were through the on-site or walk-in mode.
At those centres, the beneficiaries are required to produce the basic minimum information to avail the jab.
Last week, the health ministry said Covid vaccination per million population in the tribal districts is more than the national average, with 128 out of 176 tribal districts performing better than the all-India vaccination coverage and seeing more walk-ins.
