R.S. Sharma, chairman of Empowered Panel for Covid-19 Vaccination and chief of Co-WIN, exclusively spoke to The Sunday Guardian and clarified doubts about Covid-19 vaccine registration and complaints of technical glitches on the portal.
Q. What are the problems people are facing? They are not aware and still confused about the Co-WIN. What information would you share?
A. I would like to inform the viewers that we have not created any app. There is no app called Co-WIN Mobile App. What happened is that the previous government App, Arogya Setu, the purpose of which was to track and trace the infection has got an extension called the Co-WIN registration and scheduling. We have created a portal www.cowin.gov.in which enables you to register yourself and your family members for vaccination. Up to four registrations linked to a mobile number has been allowed which is pretty simple: Enter your mobile number; you will get an OTP; and get registered along with 3 more individuals
There is a video with the instructions available on the website. All in all, there is an Arogya Setu app and a portal for registration.
Q. What are the identity proofs required for registration?
A. No Id proof is required for registration. At the time of registration, you will be asked as to which Id will you be bringing to the centre and there are 6-7 approved Id’s that can be brought, any of which contains your photograph, name, gender, and DOB. Some of these Id’s are: Aadhaar Card; Driving Licence; Passport; Voter Id Card; Pan Card.
When you enter the centre, you will be asked for your Id number. If you are above 60 years of age, you do not need any other document except the Id proof but if you are between 45-59, you will require a medical certificate for your co-morbidity in addition to your Id proof because as per the rules only these people can be essentially vaccinated. The document is necessary as it will be photocopied and uploaded.
Q. In many cases, people come across technical glitches while registering themselves with the app. Are you getting such complaints too?
A. I haven’t got any such complaint until now, the only condition is that you need to use the right platform. Many people are using an “app” that doesn’t exist. Otherwise, there is no scalability issue because our system can take as many registrations as possible.
Q. If in case the registered beneficiary isn’t able to visit the centre at the time of vaccination due to any reason, what would be the other option?
A. In this case, please cancel and reschedule your appointment. If you can do it well in advance before the time of the visit, it will be better as someone else can take that vacancy. It is not advisable to occupy the vacancy and not go as you are wasting somebody else’s claim.
Q. Is walk-in also an option if somebody could not register?
A. Yes, walk-in is allowed but it is advised to register the appointment as it ensures the claim on your vaccine. If you do not register, maybe the vacancy might not be available and you may have to return without getting a jab.
Q. Earlier, we informed the Government of India about the fake apps. What would you say about this?
A. Awareness should be spread so that people are disbarred from using these fake apps. And as I explained, there are only two legitimate modes of registering onto the system, one is Arogya Setu, and the other one is the portal. These should be used.