[COVID-19 Vaccine] Booking through CoWIN portal "ordeal" for citizens: PIL in Bombay High Court seeks dedicated booking mechanism for Mumbai

A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Bombay High Court seeking court's intervention in the issues concerning booking of vaccination slots on the CoWin vaccination portal..Yogeeta R Vanzara, a school teacher in Mumbai, filed the plea through advocate Rajesh Vanzara seeking a dedicated portal and booking mechanism for Mumbai.She pointed out that vaccination slots for the age group of 18-44 open at erratic times on the CoWin portal without due prior intimation which results in wastage of precious time and resources of youngsters in continuously monitoring the portal."Various centers show availability of seats at midnight or thereafter and yet booked within seconds of the same being offered to the public," the petition stated.Vanzara also complained that since the vaccination slots for all age groups open only one day prior, citizens are expected to pass through this ordeal on a daily basis until they receive a vaccination slot.Importantly, the plea also highlighted how economically backward sections of society who do not have convenient access to the internet are finding it extremely difficult and tedious to obtain appointments for vaccination.She, therefore, sought directions to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to open slots for booking vaccine at a pre-determined time with due intimation for a full week, instead of daily basis. Vanzara also prayed that vaccine slots be made available only in centres where vaccine is available. .In the event, vaccinations are being administered on walk-in basis, the same should be done after ensuring that people who have booked vaccines through the portal are given the vaccination, Vanzara pleaded in her petition..Another issue raised by Vanzara pertained to availability of vaccine. The COWIN portal, she submitted, suggest availability of vaccine at various hospitals for which citizens are given appointment. However, on reaching the hospital the citizens are informed that vaccine is not available. She further stated the portal removes the schedule of appointment from its records and does not even permit such citizens to reschedule their appointment..Due to the haphazard manner of administering vaccines, certain sections of citizens are permitted walk-in vaccination facilities due to which persons who have actually obtained suitable appointment are being deprived of their vaccines, it was contended. .Vanzara also submitted that the website has no facility to assist people with physical challenges. For instance, people with wheelchair have no way to find out if centres were wheel-chair friendly which would also benefit extremely old patients. .The technical glitches on the portal makes it inconvenient while booking a slot for vaccination, the petitioner alleged.Vanzara further submitted that servers of the platform are incapable to deal with large demands as a result of which there is delay in booking appointments. "These difficulties are making it absolutely impossible for citizens to procure a vaccination appointment in a hostile frame manner," Vanzara submitted.