I have been in Varanasi on the field for over a week now, closely looking at the preparations for the rollout of the vaccine in urban, suburban and rural healthcare centres. Here are a few gaps that I have observed, apart from the general cluelessness that shrouds this process

The ANMs, on whom this drive is heavily relying, who are to administer the vaccine and largely carry out this entire operation, have barely received any training. Most have received no training while others received a 2-hour-long orientation, merely informing them of their duties

Data entry is to be done on the Co-WIN app, several ANMs still don't know the name of this app. Most people in the system, responsible for this data-entry are not comfortable with this technology. They say it is intimidating, which is understandable given the lack of training

The common masses do not trust the vaccine. There is no clear communication to inspire this confidence. The otherwise mostly trusting populace, that has been believing vague promises and reassurances, are seeking more than just "it is safe, trust us"

People are not only reluctant to get vaccinated, they also don’t feel the need to do so. 'In states where hunger is an everyday problem, running after a vaccine or worrying about COVID is the last thing on our list of priorities'

There is a lot of confusion on the ground, workers are unaware of the larger scheme plan they are working with and have been working on one instruction at a time, which is contributing to the confusion. Nobody has absolute clarity.

The clarity, planning and preparedness that should’ve preceded the vaccine drive, is clearly missing. There is confusion, apprehension, and a lingering sense of nervousness about the vaccine among all— from the senior officials passing instructions to the ANMs following them