Digital divide raise concerns of COVID vaccine equity

May 18, 2021 56 Views No Comment

Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 18

As COVID-19 vaccination for the 18-44 age group began in Nagaland on May 17, concerns have arisen that the current online registration and allotment process deprives or makes it difficult for certain beneficiaries to get their jabs.

Ever since the Nagaland Government announced the dates for vaccination of this age group, there has been a rush, especially among those in towns, to book slots through the online COWIN portal. For some though, it has been difficult to find vaccination slots near their locality. This has prompted them to book their slots at vaccination centers far off from where they live.

A resident of Aoyimti in Dimapur who sought to book her vaccination slot at the Aoyimti HWC was unable to do so, on account of all slots being filled. She finally managed to get slots at the Niuland CHC. She, along with three relatives, managed to travel the arduous two and a half hour journey on bad roads and received their shots on May 17. She informed there were more people from Dimapur town who had booked their slots and received their jabs at the Niuland CHC.

Another person, a resident of Duncan Basti, was also unable to find a health center nearby with available slots. He found one at last at the Dhansiripar CHC. “Who knows when the next vaccination for our ages will be available, so I booked my slot immediately even though it was not near my home,” he said.

The ordeal, he said, is being compounded by the current total lockdown in place. While the lockdown directives specifically exempt those on their way to get vaccinated from travel restrictions, there is public apprehension especially with local civilian authorities manning entry points into villages and colonies.

“While I did not encounter any problems, except for police personnel doing their jobs and verifying that I was out to get vaccinated, it’s still strenuous travelling during the lockdown,” he stated.

While the limited vaccine availability is forcing people to book their slots in places outside their areas, some local populations are concerned about missing out on vaccines for themselves.

Online vaccination system deprives the poor: DPON
The Dimasa Public Organisation (DPON) for instance pointed out this issue today. It expressed concern at the system of vaccination presently at place, especially for the 18-44 age group.

In a statement, the DPON President, N Kaben informed that for May 17 and 18, the beneficiaries at Dhansiripar CHC “seems mostly from town areas and very few from the sub division.”

“The system of online booking after registration for vaccination has deprived the poor and mostly illiterate people of the Dhansiripar sub division due to ignorance and non possession of smart phones,” he stated.

“While every village maintains vigil to disallow outsiders, many have come from Dimapur town for vaccination putting the denizens at risk,” the DPON President said.

“The authority should therefore evolve a mechanism to register and book only people of the area or sub division. The CHC Dhansiripar is to cover the 26 villages for vaccination and the priority should therefore be to the people of the subdivision,” he added.

Source: https://morungexpress.com/digital-divide-raise-concerns-of-covid-vaccine-equity