Explained: All you need to know about COVID 19 vaccination for elderly, high-risk groups

Hyderabad: The stage is all set for the crucial phase of the Covid-19 vaccination starting March 1. Citizens above 60 years of age and high-risk groups in the age group of 45 to 59 years will be covered in this phase.

The fundamental shift in this phase is that citizens in the identified age groups, as also those healthcare workers and frontline who have been missed out or left out of the present phase of vaccination, can select vaccination centers of their choice. Secondly, the private sector hospitals will be involved as COVID Vaccination centers to harness their potential to expand the vaccination capacities.

COVID19 vaccination centres

Government health facilities such as SHCs, PHCs, CHCs, Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres, Sub-Division Hospitals, District Hospitals and Medical College Hospitals.

All Private Hospitals empanelled under Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB-PM JAY) and similar State Health Insurance Schemes.

The centre has asked the states to ensure that the private health facilities mandatorily must have the following for using them as COVID Vaccination Centres:

1. They must have adequate space for the vaccination process, as detailed in the comprehensive SOPs issued by the Ministry;

2. They must have basic cold chain equipment for storing the vaccine vials;

3. They must have their own team of vaccinators and staff;

4.They must have the adequate facility for the management of any AEFI cases.

Identity Card

All beneficiaries, regardless of the mode of access, must be advised to carry any one of the following photo ID document:

Aadhar Card

Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC)

The Photo ID card specified at the time of registration in case of online registration (if not Aadhar or EPIC)

Certificate of co-morbidity for citizens in the age group of 45 years to 59 years (signed by a registered medical practitioner)

Employment certificate/ Official Identity Card – (either but with photo and date of birth) for HCWs and FLWs

States and UTs have explained the simplified process of registration, which shall be through three routes:

Advance Self-Registration:

The beneficiaries have to self-register in advance on CO-Win 2.0 portal and other IT Applications such as Arogya Setu. A list of government and private hospitals serving as COVID Vaccination Centres (CVCs) with schedule, will be available on the portal. The beneficiary would be able to choose the CVC of his/her choice and book an appointment for vaccination.

On-site Registration:

The facility of On-Site registration allows those who cannot self-register in advance to walk into the identified COVID Vaccination Centers and get themselves registered on-site and then vaccinated.

Facilitated Cohort Registration:

Under this mechanism, the State/UT Government will take a proactive lead. Specific date(s) for COVID vaccination will be decided where target groups of potential beneficiates will be vaccinated. The State/UT health authorities will ensure that that the target groups are actively mobilized and brought to the vaccination centers. ASHAs, ANMs, Panchayati Raj representatives, and Women's Self Help Groups (SHGs) will be utilized for mobilizing the target groups.

Under all the above three routes, all beneficiaries would be captured on the Co-WIN2.0 platform and would be issued digital QR Code-based provisional (on receiving the first dose) and final (on receiving the second dose) certificates. These can be downloaded from the link shown in the SMS the beneficiary shall receive after the vaccination. Print out of these certificates can also be taken from the Vaccination Centres.

Vaccination fee

Vaccination will be free of charge at the Government Vaccination Centers. The beneficiary will have to show a photo ID document for proof of age (preferably Aadhar card or EPIC card) and a certificate of co-morbidity (if required). Those taking the COVID vaccine at any designated/empanelled private health facility will have to pay a pre-fixed charge. The government will release the details of it later. It is estimated to be between Rs 300 to Rs 500.

States and UTs have been asked to keep a Vaccination Scale-up Plan ready which will include the granular weekly and fortnightly plans for scaling up the vaccination sites both within the government and private facilities and also the number of vaccine doses administered.

Also, on this Saturday and Sunday (27th and 28th Feb), the Co-Win digital platform will be transitioning from Co-Win1.0 to Co-Win 2.0. In view of this, COVID 19 Vaccination sessions will not be scheduled during these two days. The States and UTs have been already informed about this transition.