Experiences from a COVID-19 vaccination center at a tertiary care teaching hospital in Delhi, India: Challenges and solutions

Priyanka Sharma; Geeta Pardeshi

doi:10.5055/jem.0822

Authors

Priyanka Sharma, MD https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1346-3453
Geeta Pardeshi, MD

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/jem.0822

Keywords:

coronavirus disease 2019, coronavirus disease 2019 vaccines, Co-WIN, vaccine hesitancy, vaccine eagerness

Abstract

India began its nationwide coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program on January 16, 2021, in a phased manner. In this paper, we have discussed our experience at one of the COVID-19 vaccination centers in the country and have identified a few of the major challenges and their implications. The guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination in the country were changing frequently, leading to ambiguity among the beneficiaries. Co-WIN software, used for program implementation, had some glitches, which caused dissatisfaction among the service providers and beneficiaries. Vaccine hesitancy and eagerness caused low vaccine uptake initially and overcrowding at vaccination centers later. Some of the vaccination centers had the potential to become hot spots for further spread of the virus due to insufficient infrastructure. The disparity in access to vaccines for the homeless and other vulnerable groups was another hurdle for adequate vaccination coverage. These challenges could have been addressed by pretesting the information technology platform, long-term planning with a vision for handling vaccine hesitancy and eagerness, strong communication systems, removing disparities in vaccine access, and maintaining uniformity in messages for frequently updating guidelines.

Author Biographies

Priyanka Sharma, MD

Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, North DMC Medical College and Hindu Rao Hospital, Delhi, India

Geeta Pardeshi, MD

Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India

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