Citizens above 60 years of age with co-morbidities will be given the option of a 'precautionary' third dose of the vaccine from 10 January.
The precautionary COVID-19 vaccine dose will be the same vaccine as has been given previously, announced Dr VK Paul, Member-Health, NITI Aayog, on Wednesday, 5 January, just days before the process begins.
Who will be eligible? Which vaccine will they be administered? Here's all you need to know.
Who is eligible for the ‘precaution’ dose?
Only healthcare workers, frontline workers, and those who are above 60 with comorbidities can register for the ‘precaution’ dose.
I am above 60 and fully vaccinated. Am I eligible for the third shot?
You will be eligible to get the ‘precaution’ shot only if you have certain co-morbidities.
Which conditions are considered co-morbidities?
The following conditions were considered when vaccination was made available to those above 45 years of age but suffered certain co-morbitities:
Heart failure with hospitalisation in the last one year
Post cardiac transplant/left ventricular assist device
Significant left ventricular systolic dysfunction
Moderate or severe valvular heart disease
Congenital heart disease with severe PAH or idiopathic PAH
Coronary artery disease with past CABG/PTCA/MI and hypertension/diabetes on treatment
Angina and hypertension/diabetes on treatment
CT/MRI documented stroke and hypertension/diabetes on treatment
Pulmonary artery hypertension and hypertension/diabetes on treatment
Diabetes (>10 years or with complications) and hypertension/diabetes on treatment
Kidney/liver/hematopoietic stem cell transplant: Recipient/on wait list
End stage kidney disease on haemodialysis/CAPD
Current prolonged use of oral corticosteroids/immunosuppressant medication
Decompensated cirrhosis
Severe respiratory disease with hospitalisations in last two years/FEV1 < 50%
Lymphoma/leukaemia/Myeloma
Diagnosis of any solid cancer on or after 1st July 2020 or currently on any cancer therapy
Sickle cell disease/bone marrow failure/aplastic anemia/thalassemia major
However, the health ministry is expected to release specific guidelines soon.
What vaccine will be administered as the ‘precaution’ dose?
The precautionary COVID-19 vaccine dose will be the same vaccine as has been given previously. The government has said that there will be no mixing vaccines, yet.
Therefore, if you have received two doses of Covishield, you will receive Covishield for your precaution dose as well. The same applies to Covaxin.
I am eligible. Where can I register?
According to RS Sharma, chief executive officer of the National Health Authority, which also operates the government’s CoWin platform, you can register for the shot on CoWin.
“The CoWin platform will automatically reflect who will be eligible for the precautionary dose. We have the numbers ready as to how many will be eligible from 10 January. An announcement will be made in the next few days,” a top government official told The Indian Express.
What documents do I need?
You will just need proof of age. It will have to be scanned and uploaded on CoWin at the time of registration.
I received my second dose six months ago. Can I get my ‘precaution’ dose in January?
No.
According to government sources, the government is likely to approve ‘precaution’ dose at least nine months after the second dose.
Can I get the ‘precaution’ dose if I do not have a doctor's certificate?
Yes.
You do not need a doctor's certificate or prescription to receive a precaution dose.
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