Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The virus spreads mainly when an infected person is in close contact with another person. The first case was identified in Wuhan, China, December 2019. The disease has since spread worldwide, leading to an ongoing pandemic which has taken millions of lives. Countries around the world had to practice social distancing and quarantining in order to reduce transmission.

To get hold of the disease, pharma giants started working on a vaccine which could build immunity against the disease. Currently in India, covishield, manufactured by Serum Institute of India, Covaxin, manufactured by Bharat Biotech Limited, Sputnik V, manufactured by Gamaleya Research Institute, CorBEvax, manufactured by M/S Biological E and Covovax, manufactured by M/s Serum Institute of India, are used. Covishield, along with Covexin, have received market authorisation in 2022. However, other vaccines got permission to be used in emergency situations in India by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).

Who All Can Take Covid Vaccine:

The coronavirus vaccine is voluntary and not mandatory. However, the government has advised people to take the vaccine and complete the entire dosage. If you have comorbidities including diabetes, hypertension, cancer then you will come in the high-risk category and you must take the vaccine. In the second phase, you are eligible for the vaccination if you are over 60 years of age as of January 1st, 2021 or if you are between 45 and 59 years of age with comorbidities.

The comorbidities that make you eligible for Covid-19 vaccination are listed below:

• Heart Failure with hospital admission in past one year
• Post Cardiac Transplant/Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD)
• Significant Left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVEF <40%)
• 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 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 medications 
• Decompensated cirrhosis
• Severe respiratory disease with hospitalizations 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
• Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases/ HIV infection
• People suffering due to Intellectual disabilities/ Muscular Dystrophy/ Acid attack with involvement of respiratory system/ people with disabilities having high support needs/multiple disabilities including deaf-blindness.

If you have confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection, you should defer vaccination for 14 days after symptoms resolved, as you can increase the risk of spreading the same to others at the vaccination site.

In the Phase 3 of the vaccination drive starting from May 1, you can get the vaccine if you are above 18 years but you will need to mandatorily register online at www.cowin.gov.in, CO-WIN app or the Aarogya Setu app and seek an appointment as the walk-ins will not be permissible. Online registrations can be done from 28th April. As for the price of vaccine, it will be provided at 150 rupees at any central government facility, Rs 400 at state government centers and at Rs 600 in private hospitals. The government said that it will continue to administer the COVID-19 vaccine free of cost to existing beneficiaries - health workers, frontline workers and all above 45. Though these states announced that they will provide free vaccines to all above 18 years from May 1: Madhya Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Goa, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Sikkim, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Haryana, Delhi, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Odisha and Uttarakhand.

Once everyone from above is covered, the rest of the population will be inoculated. The vaccination here will depend on the disease epidemiology and vaccine availability.

Registration To Get a Covid Vaccine:

The government has developed an online platform called Co-WIN to register for Covid vaccine. The user has to follow the following steps to get registered and get themselves vaccinated:

Step 1: Download the Co-WIN app and make your account by registering through your mobile number.

Step 2: Select a vaccination centre based on the vaccine name.

Step 3: Schedule vaccination as per the availability of slots at the selected centre.

Step 4: Visit the centre and get yourself vaccinated.

Step 5: Cancel/Reschedule vaccination in case you cannot visit the centre.

You can also visit private hospitals to get vaccinated if you do not require free vaccination. Furthermore, you can avail of the benefit of on-site vaccination by carrying identity proof to the vaccination centre. However, it is advisable to book slots using Co-WIN, to avoid crowds and long queues at the vaccination centre.

For registraion, you will require any one of the following documents:

• Driving License
• Health Insurance Smart Card issued under the scheme of Ministry of Labour
• Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) Job Card
• Official identity cards issued to MPs/MLAs/MLCs
• PAN Card
• Passbooks issued by Bank/Post Office
• Passport
• Pension Document
• Service Identity Card issued to employees by Central/ State Govt./ Public Limited Companies
• Voter ID

People with comorbidities will have to carry the certificate of comorbidities, in the format shared here by a registered medical practitioner.

Post Registration:

After getting registered, notification and information about the vaccine session date and time will be shared with you. Two doses of the vaccine, 28 days apart will be administered. After you get the first shot of a Covid-19 vaccine, a digital QR Code-based provisional will be issued (on receiving the first vaccine jab) and final (on receiving the second shot) also known as certificates. These can be downloaded from the link shown in an SMS that you shall receive after the vaccination. Also, print out of these certificates can also be taken from the vaccination centers.

India's has so far given around 20 million anti-Covid jabs to the residents. But a lot of people still remain, that’s why it’s recommended to take preventive measures such as physical or social distancing, quarantining, ventilation of indoor spaces, covering coughs and sneezes, hand washing, keeping unwashed hands away from the face and the use of face masks or coverings in public settings to minimize the risk of transmissions.

The Covid-19 outbreak is a stark reminder of the ongoing challenge of emerging and reemerging infectious pathogens and the need for constant surveillance, prompt diagnosis, and robust research to understand the basic biology of new organisms and our susceptibilities to them, as well as to develop effective countermeasures.

Bottomline:

Covid-19 has shattered the lives of many people throughout the globe. People have lost their loved ones, jobs, mental peace and whatnot. Not only this, it made countries realise the insufficient medical infrastructure and the alarming need to boost it at a jet pace. However, India fought well with the disease along with the production of two indigenous vaccines. The country, so far, has completed 2,20,66,72,106 total vaccination doses. People have actively participated in the vaccination process and supported the government. If you have not received vaccination till now, you must follow the above-mentioned process to get the vaccination done by the earliest to fight the disease.

FAQs

Which COVID-19 vaccines are currently approved in India?

India has approved several vaccines, including Covishield, Covaxin, Sputnik V, CorBEvax, and Covovax. Some have received full market approval, while others have emergency use authorisation depending on their clinical trial data and manufacturing origin.

What documents are needed for COVID-19 vaccination registration?

You can register with any government-issued ID such as an Aadhaar card, PAN card, voter ID, or driving license. People with comorbidities must also carry a certificate from a registered medical practitioner.

Are COVID-19 vaccines covered under health insurance policies?

While most insurance policies do not reimburse vaccine costs, they cover COVID-related hospitalisation and complications. Always check the policy's fine print or speak to your insurer to confirm what's included in your health plan.

Can I get vaccinated after recovering from COVID-19?

Yes, but it’s advised to wait at least 14 days after symptoms subside before getting vaccinated. This helps ensure you are no longer infectious and reduces risks to others at the vaccination site.

Does health insurance cover post-COVID complications?

Many health insurance policies now include coverage for long COVID or post-recovery complications. This includes treatments for lung issues, fatigue, and organ damage. It’s best to check with your insurer for specific inclusions.

For more details check the link below:

• Registration User Guide
• Covid 19 Vaccination

List of hospitals:

• Private Hospitals
• CGHSE Hospitals