India successfully entered it’s second phase of corona vaccination drive on March 1. None other than the Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first to arrive at AIIMS in the wee hours to take the indigenous Covaxin. The decision to take the particular vaccine was deliberate as it is seen as a vote of confidence in the vaccine since it has been criticised by some experts for lacking efficacy data. Prime Minister later tweeted, “I appeal to all those who are eligible to take the vaccine. Together, let us make India Covid-19 free.” Soon after the Prime Minister, a list of politicians and dignitaries took the vaccination on the very first day. As soon as the windows opened for the vaccination, the scene at the private and government hospitals was full of enthusiasm. There was no doubts about the vaccine which was quite evident with the long queues and heavy rush.
Nearly 25 lakh potential recipients were registered on the first day itself. Over 67 lakh healthcare workers in the country have got the 1st dose of vaccine and close to 26 lakh have got the 2nd dose. 55.4 lakh frontline workers have been given the first shot till March 2. Since the start of the second phase from March 1, more than 4 lakh elderly and over 60,000 with co-morbidities have been vaccinated. Despite glitches, people were in no mood to move away from the vaccination sites and showed exemplary patience with the authorities who have been working at a war-footing.
In this phase, all people aged above 60 will be able to get Covid-19 vaccine shots free of cost from over 10,000 government vaccination centres. Apart from them, this phase will also cover people in the age group of 45-59 years who have comorbidities. The government has said people will have the option to either take their vaccine shots from a government facility or opt for a private hospital. The ceiling on price of vaccine (up to Rs 250) will remain unchanged until further orders, the government said, adding that states and UTs have also been informed about it.
To register for the vaccination people will have three options to choose from:
(1) self-register online in advance.
(2) onsite registration at government/private facilities.
(3) facilitated cohort registration.
From March 1, online advance self-registration for Covid-19 vaccination has started by downloading Co-WIN 2.0 mobile app and through the AarogyaSetu app. These apps will show all government and private hospitals that are serving as Covid-19 vaccination centres (CVCs).The apps will also show details of date and time of the available vaccination schedules.
The Union Health Ministry has instructed states and Union Territories that all government Covid-19 vaccination centres must be health facilities like sub-health centres (SHCs), primary health centres (PHCs), community health centres (CHCs), Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres, Sub-Division Hospitals, District Hospitals and Medical College Hospitals.In case of private hospitals, only those hospitals that are empanelled under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and similar state health insurance schemes will be allowed to serve as Covid-19 vaccination centres.
