U WIN PORTAL: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

U WIN PORTAL: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

NEWS: How children win with U-WIN, govt’s new online vaccine portal

 

WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?

The U-WIN portal, the digital platform to record vaccinations, is poised for a nationwide launch by the end of August.

 

Key Features:

  • Electronic Registry: Captures vaccination events for pregnant women and children.
  • Digital Vaccination Certificates: Generates QR-based, digitally verifiable certificates.
  • Self-Registration and Scheduling: Allows citizens to register, select centers, and schedule via web portal or app.
  • Automated Alerts: Sends SMS alerts for registration, dose administration, and reminders.
  • Frontline Worker Support: Enables digital recording of vaccination events.
  • Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) IDs: Facilitates comprehensive health record maintenance.
  • Reducing Zero-Dose and Left-Out Children:Uses name-based tracking to ensure full vaccination coverage.

 

How U-WIN Works:

  • Registration: Uses Aadhaar and mobile numbers for registration of children (up to 6 years) and pregnant mothers.
  • Vaccination Records: Records all vaccinations given, generates color-coded vaccination certificates.
  • Vaccination Tracking: Updates vaccination dates and schedules next doses.
  • Reminder System: Sends SMS reminders for upcoming vaccinations.
  • Portability: Allows digital certificate downloads for use anywhere in India.
  • Health Worker Support: Generates due-lists for health workers to ensure compliance.
  • Data Integration: Connects digital records through ABHA ID, integrating data from various programs.

 

Pilot Project and Feedback:

  • Pilot Phase: Currently in 64 districts.
  • Feedback: Beneficial but faces challenges like vaccine storage and internet connectivity. Physical registers are maintained as backups.

 

Future Implications:

  • Individual Tracking: Ensures comprehensive immunization coverage.
  • Enhanced Awareness and Accessibility: Improves awareness of vaccination sessions and addresses inequities.
  • Comprehensive Information Source: Centralizes immunization records and related information in real-time.
  • Digitization of Records: Streamlines planning and updates, reducing administrative burdens.

 

Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP)

 

Overview:

  • Launch Year:1985
  • Goal: Provide free vaccines against 12 preventable diseases to all children and pregnant women in India.

Target Groups:

  • Annually Targets: 2.9 crore pregnant women and 2.6 crore infants (0-1 years).
  • Vaccination Sessions: Over 1.2 crore annually.

Vaccines Administered:

  • Tuberculosis,Diphtheria,Pertussis(WhoopingCough),Tetanus,Poliomyelitis,,Measles,HepatitsB, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) ,Rotavirus ,Pneumococcal disease ,Japanese Encephalitis (in endemic districts),Rubella

Immunization Coverage (NFHS-5 2019-21):

  • Full Immunization Coverage (FIC): 76.4% (up from 62% in NFHS-4).
  • High FIC States:Punjab (89.7%), West Bengal (90.5%), Himachal Pradesh (89.9%).
  • Lower FIC States: Nagaland (57.6%), Arunachal Pradesh (59.7%), Uttar Pradesh (68.6%).

Challenges:

  • Dropout Rates: High between DPT1 and DPT3.
  • Disparities: Geographic and socio-economic.
  • Vaccine Resistance: Due to myths and misinformation.

 

Zero-Dose Children:

  • Definition: Children who have not received any vaccination.
  • Statistics: 1.6 million zero-dose children in 2023 (WHO and UNICEF).
  • Significance: Higher in states with lower immunization coverage and higher instances of vaccine-preventable diseases like measles.

 Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-health/how-children-win-with-u-win-govts-new-online-vaccine-portal-9467698/