Covid-19: People May Get To Sign Up For Vaccination On Aarogya Setu

The CoWIN platform once integrated on the Aarogya Setu app will allow people to access its limited features such as those required for enrolment and vaccination and not the complex back-end operations, as per the HT report.

With the nationwide vaccination drive being rolled out, it is like that the government may allow self-registration by the elderly and those with comorbidities on the Covid Vaccine Intelligence Network (CoWIN) platform to ensure easier enrolment of people to receive a shot of the Covid-19 vaccine. 

What about Aarogya Setu app?

As per the report in the Hindustan Times, the government is planning for an Aadhaar-based enrolment process for the elderly and those with comorbidities on the CoWIN platform. It is likely to be integrated with the widely used Aarogya Setu app.

The documents accessed by HT points out that the CoWIN platform on the Aarogya Setu app will allow people to access its limited features such as those required for enrolment and vaccination and not the complex back-end operations.

Aarogya Setu, the single window interface for health-related updates related to Covid-19, has been downloaded by more than 170 million users. This would now be used in the world’s largest vaccination programme.

“There is no need to download any new app for vaccination purposes. This module will be activated soon, once the vaccination of frontline health workers is completed. Along with this a feedback module through Rapid Assessment System (RAS) developed by MeitY is also being integrated,” says an internal government note, in the HT report.

MeitY is short for the ministry of electronics and information technology.

What benefits are likely to be offered ?

In the last one year since the outbreak, the government had so far conducted door-to-door surveys for contact tracing. Apart from that Aarogya Setu and hospital data provided ready-made information on the age or comorbidities of millions of Indians.

The self-registration process to get the jab will help in ensuring foolproof identification of deserving candidates for receiving the vaccine.

In the registration process, a unique health ID will be generated for each individual. “Those who don’t have Aadhaar or can’t do Aadhaar authentication with OTP will be verified through mobile numbers and taking photographs,” said the note.

The note shared with the states adds that the CoWIN portal (cowin.gov.in) might also be used for self-registration of the general public. The platform will also be used for creation of state and district level admins, and the database of vaccinators and supervisors, and for management of material relevant to Covid-19 vaccination and its allocation.