JOIN USCovid-19 vaccination Phase II in India: All you need to know
In the second phase of the Covid-19 vaccination drive in India, people over 60 years and those above 45 with comorbidities will be able to get the Covid-19 vaccine from March 1.
Since the nationwide Covid-19 vaccination drive which was rolled out on January 16, the cumulative number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered to healthcare and frontline workers has crossed 1.23 crore in the country.
Here's all you need to know on the second vaccination drive:
Who is eligible?
The second phase will start from March 1 in which anybody above 60 years, that may not be less than 10 crore people in the country, and above 45 years with comorbidities will be given vaccines in 10,000 government medical facilities and also over 20,000 private hospitals.
Will the vaccines be given free of cost?
The vaccine will be offered free at government facilities and for a charge at private hospitals. However, the amount charged at private hospitals will be decided by the Health Ministry within the next three-four days as they are holding talks with manufacturers as well as hospitals.
Read | Covid-19 vaccination for those above 60 years, 45-plus with other illnesses from March 1
Will PM Modi take the vaccine?
Elected representatives above 50 years of age are likely to be vaccinated against Covid-19 in the second round of the ongoing inoculation drive. Ministers as well as the Prime Minister, who would now be in the category of those who can take the vaccination may choose to get inoculated at the place of their choosing as per their wish. However, it is not known with certainty that the Prime Minister will get the jab this time.
How to register
According to a Hindustan Times report, the option to register will not be limited to just online channels. Apart from Co-WIN and Aarogya Setu, registration windows will be available in hospitals and Common Service Centres, the report said.
A new version of the Co-Win app is also likely to be launched soon, where people will be able to log in and register. So far, only government and health officials can log in and register those eligible for the vaccine.
Is the vaccine mandatory?
So far the vaccine is voluntary but it is advisable to follow the complete schedule of vaccination against the virus to help develop a strong immune response. For eg. If someone has taken the first dose of the vaccine, they are advised to complete their vaccination process as scheduled by the Health Ministry. According to the guidelines, two doses of the vaccine, 28 days apart, have to be taken by an individual to complete the inoculation. Although the second taking the vaccine is voluntary, the Health Ministry advises to receive to complete the schedule of vaccination against the virus to help develop a strong immune response.
Also Read | Centre confirms new strains as Covid-19 situation worsens
Will people have a choice in vaccine?
The government has not made it clear if people will have a choice of vaccine, Covishield or Covaxin. When asked about it, Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said India is proud to have two vaccines that are both effective with proven efficacy.
Which vaccines will be administered in the second phase?
The government is using these two vaccines of the Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech against Covid-19 that have been given the necessary approval by the CDSCO. Health Minister Harsh Vardhan has said that about 18-19 coronavirus vaccine candidates are in different clinical trial stages and may be available in the coming months.
(With PTI inputs)