India is all set to begin the second phase of vaccinations against the novel coronavirus from 1 March, with people above 60 years of age and those above 45 with comorbidities eligible to get the jabs.
Making the announcement on Wednesday, 24 February, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said that vaccination will also be carried out in private centres in the second phase.
Who can be vaccinated in the second phase? Will it be free of cost?
Here’s what we know till now.
Who is eligible to get the vaccine in second phase?
- Healthcare and frontline workers, who are yet to be vaccinated
- Those above 60 years of age
- People who are above 45 but have comorbidities
What are the comorbidities which will make those above 45 eligible?
As per a Times of India report the following co-morbidities to receive the vaccine on priority are:
- Diabetes
- Heart disorders
- Respiratory diseases
- Kidney diseases
- Any type of cancer
- People with disabilities - although which ones aren't mentioned,
- Neurological disorders like Parkinson's or those that can result in higher chances of severe pneumonia
- People who are on immunosuppressant drugs will also be eligible, although which ones were not mentioned. It seems like the criteria will look at the severity of the disease and its impact on increasing mortality from infection or lowering the immune system so a person with severe diabetes for more than 10 years will get priority over someone younger with diabetes who has the problem under semi-control.
Will the vaccination be free of cost?
No. Only those inoculations in government vaccine centres will be free. Those who want to get vaccinated at private centres will have to pay.
How much will I need to pay, if I want to get vaccinated at a private centre?
The Centre has fixed the price of COVID-19 vaccine at Rs 250 per dose.
How many centres will carry out inoculations in the second phase?
The inoculations will be carried out in 10,000 government and over 20,000 private vaccination centres.
How many vaccine doses have been administered in India?
According to the Union health ministry, more than 1,21,65,598 vaccine doses have been administered to health and frontline workers so far, who were the first ones to get access to the vaccines.
What are the vaccines that will be available for public?
India’s top drug regulator has given approval to only two vaccines – Bharat Biotech's 'Covaxin' and Serum Institute of India's 'Covishield'. This will be made available to public in the private centres as well.
Who is not eligible to get COVID-19 vaccine?
- Those below 18 years of age are not allowed to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
- Pregnant and lactating mothers.
- Those with allergic reactions to vaccines, pharmaceutical products, notable food allergies.
- Anyone who has had an adverse reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine earlier.
Who can temporarily not get COVID-19 vaccines?
- Persons showing active symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- COVID-19 patients who have been given anti-SARS-Cov-2 monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma.
- Acutely unwell and hospitalised patients (with or without intensive care) due to any illness.
- The vaccine should be given with “caution” to persons with a history of any bleeding or coagulation disorder – platelet disorder, clotting factor deficiency, or coagulopathy.
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