eVIN (Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network)

The Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (eVIN) is a digital technology platform developed by the Government of India to strengthen the vaccine supply chain system across the country. It ensures the real-time monitoring of vaccine stocks, storage temperatures, and logistics at all levels of vaccine distribution. Managed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), eVIN represents one of the world’s most comprehensive vaccine management systems. It enhances immunisation efficiency, reduces vaccine wastage, and ensures the availability of life-saving vaccines to every eligible beneficiary under India’s Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP).

Background and Development

The Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP), launched in 1985, is one of the largest public health initiatives globally, aiming to provide free vaccines against multiple preventable diseases. Before eVIN’s implementation, India’s vaccine supply chain relied heavily on manual record keeping, making it difficult to track stock levels, cold chain temperatures, and distribution timelines in real time.
To address these challenges, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in partnership with the UNDP, introduced eVIN in 2015 as part of the National Health Mission (NHM). The system was designed to digitise vaccine inventory management, enable real-time visibility of vaccine stocks, and strengthen the cold chain infrastructure across all states and union territories.
Initially piloted in selected states, eVIN was gradually expanded nationwide due to its effectiveness. By 2021, it covered more than 28,000 cold chain points across India, integrating with nearly all districts under the UIP framework.

Objectives of eVIN

The main objectives of the eVIN initiative are:

• To digitise vaccine stock management for transparency and accountability.
• To provide real-time visibility of vaccine stocks and storage conditions.
• To ensure optimal utilisation of available vaccines and reduce wastage.
• To maintain the cold chain integrity by continuously monitoring storage temperatures.
• To improve logistics management and supply planning at all levels of the healthcare system.
• To empower health workers with digital tools for evidence-based decision-making.

Components of eVIN

The eVIN system integrates technology, human resources, and management processes into a single digital platform. It consists of three major components:

1. eVIN Mobile Application:
   • Used by cold chain handlers to update stock data and record transactions in real time.
   • Tracks incoming and outgoing vaccine batches, ensuring transparency in movement.
   • Allows health officials to monitor stock levels and vaccine flow at every cold chain point.
2. Temperature Loggers and Cold Chain Equipment:
   • Temperature data loggers are installed in vaccine storage equipment (e.g., ice-lined refrigerators and deep freezers).
   • These devices automatically record the temperature every ten minutes and transmit data to a central server via GSM or internet connectivity.
   • Alerts are generated when temperatures deviate from the safe range (2°C to 8°C), allowing for immediate corrective action.
3. Web-based Dashboard:
   • Provides health officials and programme managers with a comprehensive, real-time overview of vaccine stocks, temperatures, and distribution across all states.
   • Supports data-driven decision-making and timely redistribution of vaccines to prevent shortages or overstocking.

Implementation and Expansion

eVIN was initially implemented in 2015 across 12 states, including Assam, Gujarat, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Following the successful pilot phase, the system was expanded nationwide in a phased manner. By 2020, it had reached all states and union territories, connecting primary health centres, district vaccine stores, and state vaccine depots into one digital network.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of India leveraged the eVIN platform to create an enhanced version known as CoWIN (COVID Vaccine Intelligence Network) for vaccine registration, tracking, and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. CoWIN, built upon eVIN’s digital foundation, became crucial for the management of one of the world’s largest vaccination drives.

Key Features

• Real-time Stock Visibility: Health officials can instantly view vaccine quantities available at any level of the supply chain.
• Temperature Monitoring: Automated data recording and alerts help maintain vaccine potency.
• Digital Record Keeping: Eliminates manual errors and provides digital traceability of each vaccine vial.
• Efficient Logistics Planning: Facilitates forecasting and timely replenishment based on actual consumption trends.
• Accountability and Transparency: Strengthens data integrity through GPS-enabled monitoring and online verification.
• Capacity Building: Continuous training and support for cold chain handlers, health workers, and managers to effectively use digital tools.

Achievements and Impact

Since its inception, eVIN has revolutionised India’s vaccine management system, bringing measurable improvements in efficiency, reliability, and transparency.

• Enhanced Efficiency: The time required for vaccine stock reporting reduced from days to minutes due to automated data entry and online access.
• Reduction in Wastage: Real-time monitoring has significantly decreased vaccine wastage by allowing redistribution of near-expiry or surplus stock.
• Improved Cold Chain Maintenance: Over 95% of cold chain points now maintain temperatures within the required range due to automated alerts.
• Transparency and Accountability: eVIN enables visibility of vaccine flow from national to sub-district levels, reducing losses due to mismanagement or pilferage.
• Data-Driven Decision-Making: Health administrators use eVIN data for demand forecasting, procurement planning, and identifying underperforming regions.
• Integration with CoWIN: The system’s adaptability during the COVID-19 vaccination drive demonstrated India’s digital preparedness in large-scale health logistics.

Technological Framework

The eVIN system uses cloud-based data storage to manage information from thousands of sites across India. It employs mobile and web applications built on open-source technology, ensuring scalability and flexibility. The use of GSM-based temperature loggers ensures constant connectivity, even in remote areas with limited internet access.
Additionally, eVIN is designed to work offline when connectivity is unavailable. Data entered offline automatically syncs with the central server once the network is restored. This feature is crucial for ensuring uninterrupted operations in rural and hard-to-reach regions.

Challenges and Limitations

Despite its success, the implementation of eVIN has faced challenges such as:

• Limited mobile network coverage in remote regions affecting data transmission.
• Dependence on continuous electricity supply for cold chain equipment.
• Need for continuous training and technical support to ensure data accuracy.
• Integration challenges with legacy systems and infrastructure at local health facilities.

However, government initiatives to strengthen digital infrastructure and enhance staff training have mitigated many of these issues.

Future Prospects

Building upon its success, the Government of India plans to further expand eVIN’s scope. Proposed developments include:

• Integration with other national health programmes for unified digital health management.
• Advanced analytics for predictive modelling of vaccine demand.
• Real-time dashboards for global sharing of best practices.
• Expansion of the network to track other medical commodities beyond vaccines.

Significance

eVIN represents a landmark innovation in public health logistics. By combining technology, transparency, and human capacity, it has modernised one of the largest immunisation supply systems in the world. It demonstrates how digital transformation can strengthen healthcare delivery, improve equity, and ensure that no child or adult is deprived of life-saving vaccines due to logistical challenges.