Can phase 2 of vaccination drive control the surge in COVID-19 cases?

The second phase of COVID-19 vaccination drive started in the country from March 1. In this phase, the inoculation drive is for people above 60 years and those aged 45 and above with comorbidities. The government, in this phase, is to vaccinate people over 60 and individuals over 45 with comorbidities to rein in the rising number of  COVID-19 cases in some states. Here is everything we know so far.

Book appointment anytime, anywhere

Eligible citizens can book appointment anytime, anywhere. In the current phase, eligible citizens can register and book an appointment for vaccination, anytime and anywhere, using the Co-WIN 2.0 portal (cowin.gov.in) or through the Aarogya Setu app.

Eligibility

People who are aged or will attain the age of 60 or more as of January 1, 2022, are eligible to register for the COVID-19 jab in this phase. Additionally, citizens who are aged, or will attain the age of 45 to 59 years as of January 1, 2022, and have any of the specified 20 comorbidities, can also enroll for the COVID-19 vaccination.

The specified 20 co-morbidities

The ministry specified 20 co-morbidities within the 45-59 years age group. These include heart failure with hospital admission in past one year, moderate or severe valvular heart disease, coronary artery disease, CT/ MRI documented stroke, diabetes ( >10 years or with complications) and hypertension on treatment, end-stage kidney disease on hemodialysis, diagnosis of any solid cancer on or after 2000 or currently on any cancer therapy for which one will have to submit a medical certificate. The certificate can either be uploaded on Co-WIN2.0 by the beneficiary while self-registering or a hard copy can be carried by the beneficiary to the COVID Vaccination Centres (CVCs).

COVID vaccination registration process

A vaccine beneficiary can register at the Co-WIN2.0 portal through his/her mobile number. With one mobile number, a person can register as many as four beneficiaries. The ministry added that the photo ID card number for each such beneficiary must be different.

Documents required for registration on the Co-WIN portal

Aadhaar Card/Letter, Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC), passport, driving license, PAN Card, NPR Smart Card or Pension Document with a photograph are to be used. It must be noted that all vaccines provided to beneficiaries at the government health facilities will be entirely free of cost, while private facilities cannot charge the beneficiary a sum above Rs 250 per person per dose (Rs 150 for vaccines and Rs 100 as operational charges).

Who all have taken the vaccine jab already?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine on Monday morning at Delhi's All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). He was administered indigenous 'Covaxin' by Bharat Biotech. After PM Modi, home minister Amit Shah was the second person to receive the COVID jab. Doctors from Medanta hospital administered the vaccine to Shah. Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan also received the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine today, a day after the second phase of the mega vaccination drive against coronavirus began in India. The minister and wife paid Rs 250 each, the capped fee for Covid vaccine shot at private institutes. All Chief Ministers, MPs, and MLAs over 50 are likely to be vaccinated in the coming days. MD & CEO of Kotak Mahindra Bank, Uday Kotak also took the first shot of COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday. The 61-year-old banker shared the news on Twitter with a picture of him getting vaccinated.

Only 11 per cent of people opted for the jab

Several healthcare and frontline workers have been hesitant to take the Covaxin shot, which was granted approval without late-stage efficacy data. According to Reuters, only 11% of people have opted for the jab.

Cost of single dose of vaccine

Private hospitals are allowed to charge up to Rs 250 for a single dose of the vaccine, whereas all jabs at government facilities will be administered free of cost. As per the Union Health Ministry, the Rs 250 charge will comprise the vaccine cost (Rs 150) plus service charge (Rs 100).