Amidst the increasing COVID-19 cases in India, the third phase of COVID-19 vaccination will be starting from today, 1st April. The situation in several states is going from bad to worse, which is a warning alarm for all of us. The Centre has urged all the states to achieve 100% vaccination of the people above the age of 45 years, especially in the districts/regions with a high concentration of COVID-19 cases.
All people who are above 45 years of age, will be eligible for this third phase of vaccination starting from 1st April 2021.
Now onwards, comorbidity certificates will not be required for getting the vaccine shot.
Previously in the first phase, the frontline workers, and health-care workers were getting vaccinated. In the second phase, senior citizens (above 60 years of age) and people older than 45 years of age having comorbidities were getting vaccinated. Currently, in the third phase, all people above 45 years of age will be eligible for vaccination.
You can register yourself for COVID-19 vaccination either through the Co-Win portal (link: https://www.cowin.gov.in/home) or you can also register through ArogyaSetu App.
As per the rules given by Health Ministry, a single mobile number can be used for registering up to 4 persons for COVID-19 vaccination.
No, it is not mandatory to register online. You can also visit your nearest vaccination centre (both government or private) for doing on-spot registration.
Just make sure that you take any one of your identity proofs (provided by the Government of India) like Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Ration Card, Passport, Driving Licence, or birth certificate. Also, carry your mobile phone (with an active number) to receive appointment time & date, updates, and feedback.
As of now, the vaccine is available free of cost in government hospitals and clinic. In private hospitals, the vaccine shot costs ₹250/- per dose.
Mild side-effects/symptoms of the COVID-19 vaccine are likely to be experienced by everyone. These side-effects are an indication that the vaccine is really working, so you don’t need to worry about them.
Common side-effects of the vaccine include pain at the side of injection, fever, body pain, muscle aching, headache, and fatigue. These symptoms may get triggered anywhere in between 30-45 minutes from vaccination, or they may even start after 8-12 hours from vaccination. These symptoms may last up to 24/48 hours.
This is the most common mistake that people do during vaccination. It is advised to avoid taking painkillers or any other medicine to lower the symptoms or side-effects. The reason behind this is that painkillers start interfering with the COVID-19 vaccine. This will block the vaccine’s immune response and will nullify the vaccine’s work. So, a person may not be able to achieve the desired immune response.
If you take medicines on a daily basis, which are prescribed by a doctor, then you must continue taking them before/after getting a vaccine shot. Also, if the side-effects of the vaccine are unbearable, or out of control, then immediately contact a doctor and take the prescribed medication.
In India, two vaccines are available, one is Oxford AstraZeneca’s Covishield and Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin. Presently, you cannot choose between these two vaccines. It is subject to their availability at any particular vaccination. You need to take the vaccine that is available, at your vaccination centre.
After the getting first dose of vaccination, a provisional certificate will be provided. Upon receiving the second dose, a digital certificate of vaccination will be provided.
According to the Health Ministry, people who are suspected or confirmed for COVID-19 infection can go for vaccination only 14 days after showing the symptoms. This is done in order to avoid the spread of the virus at the vaccination centre.
To date, more than 6.30 crore people have been vaccinated in India. The statistics are as given below:
