Nine months in on the world's largest vaccination drive, India made a mark achieving one billion (100 crore) doses of the Covid-19 vaccine and the credit goes to its governmental web portal named CoWIN for COVID-19 vaccination registration.
According to the data accumulated from the CoWIN app, vaccine doses were distributed to 4,30,000 vaccination sites for nine months with every centre having a team of 4-5 people working on it. Adding more to this positive news, about 20,00,000 workers were employed during this critical time, according to the data.
The Union Health Minister, Mansukh Mandaviya, encouraged those who are eligible to get inoculated soon and to also be a part of the ‘historic’ feat. The minister further went on to announce that a song by singer Kailash Kher as well as an audio-visual film will be premiered at the Red Fort. At the same time, there are also expectations about the largest national flag, weighing over 1,400 kg, to be raised at the Red Fort on this day.
Then, there’s also talks from a top Ministry of External Affairs official who said that India's digital COVID-19 vaccination platform CoWIN can be customized and scaled up for global health activities. Riva Ganguly Das, the ministry's Secretary (East), shared that India is seeking to share this platform with partner countries.
"The CoWIN platform may be customized and scaled out for global health treatments. We're focusing on sharing this platform with partner countries in the interest of health cooperation and their readiness to face global health concerns”, said Das at the ASEAN-India Track 1.5 Dialogue on Cyber Issues.
This then sprung into the need for a India-ASEAN member country to team up. “We have seen the critical role played by digital technologies during the COVID-19 waves in keeping supply chains open for an accelerated and sustainable economic recovery in the region”, adds Das while speaking on grounds of cybersecurity emphasizing the importance of focusing on equitable access to cyberspace and its benefits.
On the other hand, the government has decided to announce the achievement over trains, ships and the airports. As a matter of fact, the government is also encouraging villages which have completed 100 percent vaccinations to express their gratitude towards health workers by putting up posters and banners appreciating their role in the overall operation.
Yet, the gap between those who have been partially vaccinated and those who have been fully vaccinated still remains as the world's highest, raising concerns in a country where over 450,000 deaths, or 4.52 lakh, have already been reported. The government is aware of the problem and has advised states and union territories to focus on providing the second doses and to exchange strategies for closing the gap.
"It is a stupendous achievement for India to reach the 100 crore vaccination milestone in a record 275 days”, praises Dr. Ashutosh Raghuvanshi, MD and CEO, Fortis Healthcare.
Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways emphasized the commitment of the government in the battle against the deadly virus.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated India on reaching the 100 million vaccination milestone, calling it a victory of Indian science, entrepreneurship, and the collective spirit of 130 million Indians. He also praised and complemented health personnel for their contributions to the achievement.
India scripts history. We are witnessing the triumph of Indian science, enterprise and the collective spirit of 130 crore Indians. Congrats India on crossing 100 crore vaccinations. Gratitude to our doctors, nurses and all those who worked to achieve this feat. #VaccineCentury, tweeted PM Modi.