EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with R.S. Sharma, Chairman of Empowered Panel for Covid-19 Vaccination and Chief of Co-Win App
What are the problems people are facing? They are not aware and still confused about the CoWIN. What information would you share?
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 4 registration linked to a mobile number have been allowed which is pretty simple.
- Enter your mobile number
- You will get an OTP
- Get registered along with 3 more individuals.
There is a video available on the video for the instructions. All in all, there is an Arogya Setu app and a portal for registration.
What are the Id Proofs required for registration?
No Id proofs are 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 contain your photograph, name, gender and your DOB. Some of these Id’s are:
- Aadhar Card
- Driving License
- 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.
In many cases, people come across with technical glitches while registering themselves with the app. Are you getting such complaints too?
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” which doesn’t exist. Otherwise there is no scalability issue because our system can take as many registrations as possible.
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?
In this case, please cancel and reschedule your appointment. So long before you can do it before the time of visit, it will be better because someone else can take that vacancy. It is not advisable to not occupy the vacancy and not go because you are wasting somebody else’s claim.
Is walk-in also an option if somebody could not register?
Yes, walk-in is also allowed but it is advised to register the appointment because it ensures the claim on your vaccine. If you do not register, maybe the vacancy may not be available and you may have to return without getting a Jab.
Earlier, we informed the Government of India about these fake apps. What would you say on this?
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, the other one is the portal. These should be used.
