Highlights
- India began its coronavirus vaccination drive on January 16
- From April 1, people over 45 years are eligible to be vaccinated: Centre
- Do not delay 2nd dose beyond the 8th week of getting 1st dose: Centre
New Delhi: On March 23, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) announced that everybody over the age of 45 years would be eligible for receiving the vaccination against COVID-19 from April 1. Currently, vaccination is open to only those above 60 and those above 45 with co-morbidities are being inoculated. With this, the Centre intends to ramp up the vaccination drive. According to experts, this is a welcome move, in view of the alarming surge in the new cases being witnessed by the country. The ministry said that the surge is driven in part by laxity in following COVID protocols and the spread of the more contagious mutant strains. The government has urged people to follow the COVID-19 preventive measures like wearing masks, maintaining physical distance, hand hygiene among others and said that all eligible people should come forward to get themselves immunised. With an aim to clarify doubts regarding the second dose of vaccination, the government answered some of the commonly asked questions.
Who can get vaccinated in this phase?
Starting April 1, everybody over the age of 45 is eligible to be vaccinated. The cut-off date has been set as January 1, 1977, which means that the person willing to get vaccinated must be born before this date.
What is the recommended time interval between the required two doses?
The country has given emergency use license to two COVID-19 vaccines – Oxford-AstraZeneca’s Covishield which is being manufactured by Serum Institute of India in Pune and Bharat Biotech-Indian Council of Medical Research’s Covaxin. Both vaccines are required to be taken in two doses.
The time interval between two doses of the Covishield vaccine has been extended from four-six weeks to four-eight weeks from the first dose. Within the extended period, protection from the novel coronavirus will be greater if the second dose is taken between six and eight weeks after the first. The ministry said that both doses should be taken within the recommended time period for stronger immunity and both doses must be of the same vaccine type. The second dose of Covaxin can be taken four to six weeks after the first.
How can one register for the second dose?
Newly eligible beneficiaries can register and book an appointment through the Co-WIN (Covid Vaccine Intelligence Work) portal. Their slots will go live from April 1.
Since the auto-scheduling feature for the Covishield vaccine has been removed, both new beneficiaries and those who have already received their first dose can now choose when to get the second dose.
In case, there are any problems related to registration and booking appointments, beneficiaries can contact the national helpline ‘1075’.
When and how to take the Vaccination Certificate?
After getting the vaccine (whether the first or second dose), the vaccinee must ensure to take their Vaccination Certificate which can be either a hard copy or a digital copy. Vaccination and the certificate are free in government hospitals. Vaccination in private hospitals is capped at Rs. 250, and this includes the cost of the certificate.
Are there enough vaccines for everybody?
The government has stressed that there is no need to panic as there is no shortage of vaccine stock.
NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene.
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Divakar BSV
April 1, 2021 at 1:19 pm
I wish and expect the site to provide link to get registered to first and second doses. so that people can easily navigate to that registration site. Please include the LINK immediately.
Mandakini
April 2, 2021 at 11:31 am
Fantastic work. Amitabh Bachchan is the right person for this Abhiyan. He is a legend. Always enjoy watching him on screen big or small.
Venkateswara Rao Ramakuru
April 9, 2021 at 7:17 am
how to know the reference number for my Beneficiary id no: 32603576482716
P.C.CHACKO THARAKAN
April 15, 2021 at 11:33 am
Govt initiative and tremendous efforts to contain the covid 19 is commendable.
there is somany different comments regarding the second dose of vaccine is in the air. a firm date required at leat the minimum days for taking second dose
GIRISH C.RANE
April 18, 2021 at 1:08 pm
This is Girish Rane would like to have some information regarding the Vaccine. I have taken Vaccine in Cama Hospital in Mumbai and at the time due to technical error my cell number was not registered, but I have taken Vaccine and was told that I have to take 2nd Dose of Vaccine at the same place only then only I will get the Vaccine Certificate. You are requested to please Guide me in this Matter……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Lagdev Ravi
April 20, 2021 at 12:15 pm
My self (62 yrs) and my wife (56 yrs) vaccinated COVID SHIELD first dose on 20.03.2021.
It is advisable to take second dose of vaccine on 30.04.2021, because from 01-05-2021 it is open to all above 18 yrs.
arun gupta
April 22, 2021 at 9:57 am
i got my first vaccination dose of covishield on 19 march 2021 now when the second dose is to be given to me
P SAudhakaran
April 22, 2021 at 11:18 am
is registration required for second doze of vaccination
P Sudhakaran
April 22, 2021 at 11:22 am
23/04/21 is my given date for second vaccine
Now what I should do
RAJENDRA SINGH
April 22, 2021 at 4:23 pm
First dose taken on 09/03/2021 How to register for second dose?
RAJENDRA SINGH
April 22, 2021 at 4:41 pm
I have taken first dose on 09/03/2021. How to register for second?
Parimal Kumar Chakraborty
April 26, 2021 at 1:32 pm
2nd dose registration
RAJENDRA MARUTI SUTAR
April 29, 2021 at 11:21 am
2ND DOSE
P.R.Prabhakaran Nair
April 29, 2021 at 11:32 am
We had taken the first dose on 25-3-21 at Medical Trust Hospital Ernakulam and the second dose was scheduled for 22-4-21. When we reached hospital they said the vaccine has not arrived and we should reschedule our appointment. I am not able to get a slot for the second dose. I am 75 yrs and my wife is 66 years. Can I get helped in this matter.
Ashishkumar Yashvantrai Desai
April 30, 2021 at 12:37 pm
Covid 19 vaccine 2 Dose certificate.
T chandramathi
May 5, 2021 at 6:01 pm
We are trying to schedule second dose of covi shild for dr.couple aged 67 and 75+ but we are not getting the info
Umesh Kumar.K
May 23, 2021 at 4:10 pm
I got my first vaccination dose of covaxin on 11 April 2021 now when the second dose is to be given to me and i am physically handicapped person and 59 years old.
jitendra modi
May 26, 2021 at 6:16 pm
I have taken first dose dt.08/04/2021 how to regisrer second dose
JAYACHANDRAN
June 7, 2021 at 11:09 am
Myself (64 yrs) and my wife (58 yrs) vaccinated COVID SHIELD first dose on 12.03.2021.
It is advisable to take second dose of vaccine due on 04.06.2021. But I am not able
to reschedule my 2nd dose. Due date is already over.