There’s Another Flaw In Lebanon’s Vaccination Process

Dr. Firass Abiad, manager and CEO of Rafik Hariri University Hospital, has noted a significant issue with Lebanon’s current inoculation campaign, as the governmental registration platform leaves out the digitally-illiterate population.

1/4 Registration on the vaccine platform and the necessary follow up to obtain an appointment require a minimum of digital literacy, and a mobile number. Some do not own or know how to use a digital phone. A hotline can assist these individuals, but needs to be easily accessible.

— Firass Abiad (@firassabiad) February 22, 2021

In a tweet, Abiad explained how those under the poverty line cannot register through the online platform, as it requires a certain level of digital literacy and financial means to purchase a digital device.

“This poses a challenge if we need to diffuse the vaccine to the less educated or vulnerable population,” Abiad said.

Areas outside Beirut and Mount Lebanon have recorded a low number of registrations, according to Abiad. This may be attributed to residents of villages and rural areas who do not have the means to register for the vaccine.

What about the people living in the peripheries of Lebanon (the south, the north etc.) Not all of them know how to register for the vaccination, the vaccine isn’t readily available where they are, not many of them can afford to make the trip to beirut. Just wondering.

— Maha (@mahamnasserr) February 24, 2021

Abiad stated that this also adds to the other barriers Lebanon’s vaccination drive is encountering, such as a lack of trust in health authorities, an absence of public health awareness, as well as inefficient logistics.

“The numbers of available vaccines is limited, there are currently more registered individuals than available vaccines. As more vaccines arrive, the situation will change from a supply into a demand problem,” he said.

The health expert criticized Lebanese officials who left out a large number of citizens, going on to add that “COVID-19 exposed various inequalities present in society.”

Abiad advises a proactive approach, instead, where officials can reach the digitally-illiterate individuals and help them register.

“From the onset, one cardinal rule has been clear, we are as strong as our weakest link,” Abiad added.

Lebanon on Wednesday recorded 62 new coronavirus-related deaths and 3,513 more cases.

Early Wednesday, Lebanese MPs were discovered to have taken vaccines, reportedly queue-jumping – a clear violation of the agreement with the World Bank. Caretaker Health Minister Hamad Hassan tried downplaying it by calling the reactions “exaggerated.”

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