COVID Vaccination Registration : Bombay High Court Asks State Govt To Consider PIL Petitioners' Suggestions For Improvement

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday asked the Maharashtra Government to consider a PIL petitioner's suggestions to improve the vaccine registration experience through the CoWIN portal and give preferential treatment for immunization to people with comorbidities in the 18-44 age category.

A division bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice GS Kulkarni added that authorities need not wait for its orders to implement any of the recommendations in they can be implemented.

The court was hearing a PIL by Yogeeta Vanzara represented by counsel Jamsheed Master and advocate Rajesh Vanzara, concerning challenges faced by the citizens of Mumbai to obtain vaccination appointments in Mumbai City.

Earlier, the bench had directed the State to ensure that citizens who have confirmed appointments through online registration are given preference to walk-in registrants at vaccination centres.

On Wednesday, Master placed the recommendations on record and submitted that his primary prayer remains a fixed time for the opening of booking slots on the CoWIN portal. So that people don't have to sit in front of their screens the entire day hoping to get an inoculation appointment, he explained.

Master further submitted that citizens between the age group of 18-44 with comorbidities were at greater risk of contracting the virus while waiting their turn in the vaccination line and need to be given preferential treatment.

In response, Justice Kulkarni cautioned that "Just having a vaccine slot is not enough. The availability of vaccine also needs to be ensured when people reach the vaccine centre."

Master said that the Centre's guidelines from May 19, asking States to display the weekly availability of vaccines, is already being implemented in the eight districts of Maharashtra.

Meanwhile, the court directed the State to consider the recommendations and filed an affidavit in response by June 17.

The recommendations are as follows.

Walk-in facility for 18 to 44 with comorbidities:

Vanzara suggests that persons with comorbidities such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and life-threatening diseases can be allowed walk-in facilities on specific predetermined dates announced in advance so that highly vulnerable persons can be immunized on priority.

Walk-in facility for economically backward persons/people who do not have smartphones :

Economically backwards persons and persons who do not have access to smartphones should be given a platform to register through NGOs or a walk-in vaccine facility with prior intimation. Tokens may be given in advance from the concerned ward offices to such persons.

Engaging technical experts and system specialists:

It is suggested that students of IIT Bombay have developed very effective systems to provide ambulatory services to COVID patients. The government may use their expertise coupled with the task force of NGOs to ensure that vaccination facilities are offered even to the marginalized session of the society who do not have access to the COWIN Portal.

Making weekly plan available:

On Mat 19, the Union of India has directed the States to give vaccination plan in advance and "desist from publishing single day vaccination calendars". Vaccination calendars in Mumbai City are given on a single day basis. However, in other parts of Maharashtra State, such as Kolhapur, Yavatmal, Gadchiroli, the vaccination centres are open for a full week.

Opening booking of vaccination slots at a fixed time:

Vaccination slots in the City of Mumbai are open daily from 3.00 p.m. till 2.00 a.m. by various COVID Vaccination Centers ("CVCs"). Mumbaikars are required to monitor vaccination availability on a minute to minute basis continuously.

Monitoring by City Task Force / Ward Health Officers:

Various CVCs are making erroneously opening vaccination slots on the COWIN Portal, which are not available at the Centre. The Nodal Officer must ensure that the CVCs are open, correct vaccination appointments on the COWIN platform and if incorrect sessions are open, such citizens be accommodated in other CVCs.

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