The first phase of the world’s largest Covid-19 vaccination drive began in India on 16th January 2021. So far, India has administered the Covid-19 vaccine to frontline workers as well as healthcare professionals.
India will soon begin the next phase of the Covid-19 vaccination drive. Due to the recent spike in Coronavirus cases, India aims to cover more than 10 crore people in this phase of vaccination, with increased focus on senior citizens.
(Prime Minister Narendra Modi taking first dose of Covid-19 vaccine at Delhi's AIIMS)
Image Source - NDTV
So, here are all the important details and updates about the Covid-19 vaccination that senior citizens must know about.
When will the second phase of the Covid-19 vaccination begin?
The second phase of the Covid-19 vaccine drive will begin on Monday, 1st March 2021.
Who is eligible to receive the vaccine?
In the second phase, the following people are eligible to receive the Covid-19 vaccine:
- People aged 60 and above
- People within the age group of 45 - 59 years who have comorbidities against Covid-19
Are there any comorbidities specified by the Government?
Yes, the Government has released a list of 20 comorbidities. People with the presence of one of these comorbidities will be given priority during the vaccination drive.
Some of the comorbidities include people suffering from serious cardiovascular ailments, cancer, AIDS, diabetes and people with disabilities as well.
People who have suffered from heart ailments with hospital admission in the last one year and those suffering from moderate or severe valvular heart diseases have also been included in the list.
Here is a list of all the specified comorbidities:
1. Heart failure with hospital admission in last one year
2. Post-cardiac transplant/Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD)
3. Moderate or Severe Valvular Heart Disease
4. Significant Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction (LVEF < 40%)
5. Congenital heart disease with severe PAH or Idiopathic PAH
6. Coronary Artery Disease with past CABG/PTCA/MI and Hypertension/Diabetes on treatment
7. Angina and Hypertension/Diabetes treatment
8. CT/MRI documented stroke and Hypertension/Diabetes on treatment
9. Pulmonary artery hypertension and Hypertension/Diabetes on treatment
10. Diabetes (>10 years or with complication) and Hypertension on treatment
11. Kidney/Liver/Hematopoietic stem cell transplant : Recipient/On-wait list
12. End stage Kidney Disease on haemodialysis/CAPD
13. Current prolonged use of oral corticosteroids/immunosuppressant medications
14. Decompensated cirrhosis
15. Severe respiratory disease with hospitalisations in last two years/ FEVI < 50%
16. Lymphoma/Leukaemia/Myeloma
17. Diagnosis of any solid cancer on or after July 1, 2020 or currently on any cancer therapy
18. Sickle Cell Disease/Bone marrow failure/Aplastic Anemia/Thalassemia Major
19. Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases/HIV infection
20. People with disabilities due to Intellectual disabilities/ Muscular Dystrophy/ Acid attack with involvement of respiratory system/ People with disabilities having high support needs/ Multiple disabilities including deaf-blindness
This list can also be accessed at - https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/GuidancedocCOWIN2.pdf
How to register for Covid-19 vaccination?
People who are eligible and wish to get vaccinated for Covid-19 in the second phase need to register themselves on the Co-WIN 2.0 portal.
The self-registration process is scheduled to be available for users on 1st March at 9 am.
Advanced self-registration can be done through:
- Co-WIN app (available on Google Play Store and App Store)
- The Co-WIN portal - https://www.cowin.gov.in/home
- Other IT applications like Aarogya Setu
On-site registration is also available for people who cannot register themselves in advance. These individuals can walk into the identified Covid Vaccination Centres (CVCs) and can get themselves registered on-site.
Volunteers will be present at the vaccination centres to guide the people who opt for on-site registration.
What is the process of registration?
Here are the steps for self-registration on the Co-WIN portal:
Step 1: Visit the Co-WIN portal at https://www.cowin.gov.in/home or download the Co-WIN app from Google Play Store (for android users) and App Store (for iOS users)
Step 2: Use your 10-digit mobile number or your Aadhar number to register
Step 3: Enter the OTP that you receive on your mobile number
Step 4:You will have to enter your basic details such as name, year of birth, gender, etc
Step 5: People aged 45 years and above need to upload a medical certificate mentioning their comorbidities
Step 5: A list of all Covid Vaccination Centres (CVCs) along with the date & time of available slots will be displayed.
Step 6: Choose the preferred CVC according to your state, city, block and pin code
Step 7: Book an appointment based on the available slots
Step 8 (optional): You can reschedule your vaccination appointment anytime before the actual day of vaccination
What are the documents required for Covid-19 vaccination?
People who have self-registered and people who opt for on-site registration need to carry a government ID proof for vaccination.
Here is a list of the 12 government-approved ID cards that can be used for verification at the CVC:
- Aadhaar card
- Driving license
- Voter ID card
- Passport
- PAN card
- Passbook issued by bank/post office
- Pension document
- Health insurance smart card issued under Ministry of Labour scheme
- MGNREGA job card
- Service identity card issued by central or state govt./PSUs/public limited companies
- Smart Card issued by Registrar Central of India under National Population Register
- Official identity card issued to MPs/MLAs/MLCs
People aged 45 years can additionally carry a hard copy of the medical certificate mentioning their comorbid condition.
What is the cost of vaccination?
Covid-19 vaccine shots will be delivered free of cost at government facilities.
For private hospitals and health centres, the government has capped the price of Covid-19 vaccine at ₹ 250 per shot.
Which hospitals are available for Covid-19 vaccination?
The government has stated that more than 10,000 private hospitals under the Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY program, more than 650 hospitals under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) and several different private hospitals will be used as Covid Vaccination Centres.
A list of all these hospitals is available on the official website of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and can be accessed at:
1. https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/CGHSEmphospitals.xlsx
2. https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/PMJAYPRIVATEHOSPITALSCONSOLIDATED.xlsx
In addition to this, government health facilities such as medical college hospitals, district hospitals, sub-divisional hospitals, etc. will also be used as CVCs.
How many doses of the Covid-19 vaccine are required?
The government has stated that 2 doses of the vaccine must be administered for the beneficiary, with a gap of 28 days between the first and second dose.
Once a citizen is vaccinated for the 1st dose, an appointment for the second dose will be automatically scheduled for them at the same CVC as the first one.
