CoWIN app glitch cited for poor turnout

Patiala, January 16

Of the 300 chosen frontline health workers, only 62 turned up on the inaugural day of vaccination in Patiala. Amid the poor response, Patiala Civil Surgeon Dr Satinder Singh said he was the first to get vaccinated in the district so as to make others follow suit. He said, “To bust the apprehensions among the frontline health workers, I was the first person to get the jab. The vaccine is safe, therefore, health workers should get the shot without any fear.”

Sources said health workers were apprehensive of the side-effects due to which a majority of them decided to skip the vaccination today and wait for the second phase. Meanwhile, some health workers were of the view that as they had already recovered from Covid, skipping the vaccination was not a risk. However, health officials blamed the technical glitch in the CoWin portal for the poor response. Due to the glitch, messages to beneficiaries could not be sent in time and they had to be telephonically informed about the vaccination, they said.

Dr Rajesh Bhasker, state nodal officer, said, “Since it was the first day of the rollout, the number was low. I am sure the figure will be better on Monday.” — TNS