Covid vaccination for persons above 45 to start tomorrow. Here's all you need to know

Covid-19 vaccinations will be thrown open to all over 45 tomorrow. As infections surge and with extensive lockdowns out of the question, getting people inoculated quickly is key to bringing the pandemic under control. Teena Thacker looks at the next phase:

How to get vaccinated
Anyone born before January 1, 1977, can get vaccinated


This is what you need to do

1.Self-registration on CoWin.gov.in

• Use pin code to identify nearby vaccination centre
• Aadhaar/mobile number/ any other ID to register at the identified facility

2.Walk in for vaccination

• Ask centre if spot registration slot is available
• Carry Aadhaar card, get spot registration and vaccination

Second Dose
2nd dose must be of the same vaccine; follow same registration process
Covaxin: Between 4 to 6 weeks after first dose
Covishield: Between 4-8 weeks after first dose

Vaccination certificate

• Vaccination centre will give the certificate after second dose
• This can also be downloaded from CoWin, Aarogya Setu or Digilocker

Vaccination FAQs

• Can you get vaccinated at a centre that’s different from your Aadhaar address? Yes

• Does second dose need to be taken at the same site as fi rst? No

• Can second dose be taken in a different state from the fi rst shot? Yes (Check for availability of same vaccine)

• Can appointment be rescheduled/cancelled? Yes

• Is vaccination free? Free at government hospitals; Rs 250 at private hospitals

What Comes After Vaccination

• A person will only be considered fully protected 14 days after getting the second shot

• Masks and social distancing still need to be followed after getting vaccination

Are Enough Vaccine Doses Available?

• It is estimated that about 60 million Covishield doses a month are available; 5 million of Covaxin

• The current supply has sustained about 2.5 million vaccinations a day

• More vaccines are set to get approval; Sputnik-V very soon

• Less supply to other countries will also augment domestic availability

• Industry estimates 80 million doses a month will be available soon

• This can sustain about 2.8 million jabs a day

Does the system have the capacity for more vaccinations?

• Yes, the vaccination capacity not likely to be an issue if supplies increase

• Not all centres are using their full capacity

• The government can open more centres if needed

• The existing system can handle greater numbers