There is no question of anyone being left out in the Covid-19 vaccination drive due to "digital divide" and the Co-WIN system is designed to provide required flexibilities to states and Union Territories to overcome barriers to access, the Centre told the Supreme Court on Saturday. In an affidavit filed in the apex court in the suo motu case on distribution of essential supplies and services during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Centre said there is "no impediment" on vaccination based on availability or otherwise of digital device or internet. Online registration, prior self-registration and booking of appointment on Co-WIN is also not mandatory to avail vaccination services, it stated.

A bench headed by Justice D Y Chandrachud had in its May 31 order observed that a vaccination policy exclusively relying on digital portal Co-WIN for inoculating those aged between 18 to 44 years would be unable to meet its target of universal immunisation due to "digital divide" and marginalised sections of society would bear the brunt of "accessibility barrier". "It is submitted that the Co-WIN system is inclusive and has been designed to provide the necessary features and the required flexibilities to states/UTs and their officials to overcome the challenges posed by various state specific problems and barriers to access," the government said in its affidavit.