PUNE: Vaccination tests in four districts of Maharashtra on Saturday were largely trouble-free, except for one problem: spotty internet connectivity. Three sites from four districts, Pune, Jalna, Nandurbar and Nagpur, were selected for the drills as part of a nationwide readiness assessment prior to actual vaccination drives later this year.
A key component of the Covid-19 vaccination will be the Co-Win app, in which details of recipients and doses must be uploaded. The system needs a stable internet connection. The Nandurpar district administration said they have now requested permission for “off-line vaccines.” Pune authorities said they have asked for more infrastructure to improve their link.
On Saturday, 25 “practice” beneficiaries were asked to reach each site via SMS. One beneficiary in Pune “refused” to shoot while the Nandurbar and Nagpur sites each had one person missing. The Jalna center had full participation.
Health officials in Pune said taluka-level vaccination sites were necessary to fill gaps in internet connectivity. During a speech before the drills, State Health Minister Rajesh Tope said the state was fully prepared for the actual vaccination campaigns.
In Nagpur, the deputy director of health services, Sanjay Jaiswal, said the trial gave them confidence that 25 people can be vaccinated at one center in two hours. The drills, he said, also led to some technical problems, such as incorrect phone numbers and a missing option to change hours if a person cannot get to a site.
A key component of the Covid-19 vaccination will be the Co-Win app, in which details of recipients and doses must be uploaded. The system needs a stable internet connection. The Nandurpar district administration said they have now requested permission for “off-line vaccines.” Pune authorities said they have asked for more infrastructure to improve their link.
On Saturday, 25 “practice” beneficiaries were asked to reach each site via SMS. One beneficiary in Pune “refused” to shoot while the Nandurbar and Nagpur sites each had one person missing. The Jalna center had full participation.
Health officials in Pune said taluka-level vaccination sites were necessary to fill gaps in internet connectivity. During a speech before the drills, State Health Minister Rajesh Tope said the state was fully prepared for the actual vaccination campaigns.
In Nagpur, the deputy director of health services, Sanjay Jaiswal, said the trial gave them confidence that 25 people can be vaccinated at one center in two hours. The drills, he said, also led to some technical problems, such as incorrect phone numbers and a missing option to change hours if a person cannot get to a site.
.
