Allow states to have own vax apps, CM Uddhav Thackeray writes to PM Modi

MUMBAI: CM Uddhav Thackeray has urged the Centre to allow separate apps for states to implement the Covid-19 vaccination drive. Thackeray has also demanded permission to procure vaccines from different manufacturers across the world to speed up vaccinations to reduce the impact of the potential third wave.
In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Thackeray said the vaccination drive in Maharashtra has been the “fastest and the most efficient in the country”.
Thackeray said that the central CoWin app, which is currently used by all the states to allow registrations and appointments for vaccination, is seeing a sudden surge, and there is fear about the app malfunctioning and crashing as it did on the first day when the drive was opened for the general public. “We propose either a separate app developed by states, where the data can be shared with the Union government’s ministry of health or a CoWin app for each state, developed and assigned by the government of India,” he said.
Thackeray said that vaccine supply was also a major challenge and local producers do not have enough stocks, so states should be allowed to procure from other manufacturers.