Srinagar, Sept. 19 -- Vaccination systems are built on trust, and that trust depends on efficiency, transparency, and accountability. In Jammu and Kashmir, the recent lapses in monitoring and management of the Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network have exposed vulnerabilities that threaten the credibility of the programme. Cold Chain Points, meant to safeguard vaccine integrity, are struggling without real-time oversight, leading to repeated expiry of stocks and wastage of doses. The issue is not only technical but structural, reflecting gaps in planning, supervision, and resource allocation.

The expiry of more than 20,000 BCG doses in May 2025 illustrates the scale of the challenge. Srinagar reported the highest losses, but other dist...