Now Mothers Can Report Immunization Side Effects on U-WIN Platform

The government's U-WIN platform, akin to the CoWIN portal for COVID-19, registers and monitors routine vaccination and immunization.

In a significant move aimed at enhancing immunization monitoring, mothers may soon be able to report any side effects arising from routine immunization of their infants on the government's U-WIN platform.

This development, reported by Mint, signals a proactive approach by the government to address adverse events associated with vaccinations.

Currently, in a pilot phase across two districts in each state and union territory, the platform has already registered over 40 million beneficiaries and recorded 125 million vaccine doses.

Reasoning Behind the Move

Previously, adverse events such as fever and rashes resulting from immunization were manually documented, with healthcare providers being informed accordingly.

The proposed plan seeks to streamline this process by enabling mothers to report any side effects on the U-WIN platform directly.

The U-WIN platform, a part of the government's Universal Immunization Win initiative, plays a crucial role in offering free vaccinations against 12 life-threatening diseases to millions of newborns and pregnant women annually.

It is also responsible for registering and monitoring routine vaccinations and immunizations across the country.

Similar to the CoWIN portal for COVID-19 vaccinations, the U-WIN platform facilitates access to beneficiary records through registered mobile numbers for child registration.

Nationwide Rollout & ABDM Integration

With plans for a nationwide rollout under the new government, the U-WIN platform is poised to become the world's largest electronic immunization system.

This expansion is expected to significantly increase vaccination coverage and contribute to reducing infant mortality rates.

Integration with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission will further enhance the functionality of the U-WIN platform, allowing healthcare providers access to comprehensive patient health records.

This integration underscores the government's commitment to leveraging technology for public health initiatives.

Revised Guidelines on Adverse Effects

To accommodate operational changes and provide provisions for reporting adverse effects following COVID-19 vaccination, national guidelines on adverse effects are being revised.

These guidelines will cover reporting of minor, severe, and serious adverse effects, ensuring a comprehensive approach to vaccine safety monitoring.

In the fiscal year 2021-22, a total of 1,026 cases of serious adverse effects following vaccination were reported.

This underscores the importance of robust monitoring systems to track and address adverse events associated with immunization.

The proposed inclusion of mothers in reporting immunization side effects on the U-WIN platform aims to be a significant step forward in enhancing vaccine safety monitoring.

With plans for a nationwide rollout and integration with existing digital health initiatives, the U-WIN platform is poised to revolutionize immunization management in India.

In February this year, during the presentation of the Union Interim Budget 2024-2025, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced plans to expedite the newly designed U-WIN platform, a pioneering initiative set to transform the management of immunization across the country.

The Finance Minister highlighted the government's commitment to expedite the rollout of U-WIN, complemented by intensified efforts under the Mission Indradhanush program.