Things you need to know about COVID-19 vaccination in India

On Monday, December 14, the Modi government has released guidelines for the rolling out of coronavirus vaccination ahead of its distribution.

The central government intends to vaccinate a total of 30 crore people in the first phase of COVID-19 vaccination. It would include healthcare and frontline workers, people above 50 years of age and those under 50 who have comorbidities.

According to the latest update, the number of people per session to be vaccinated may go up to 200 depending on the logistics. Moreover, the Centre will let the state fix the days for vaccination.

Last week, the Union Ministry of Health had clarified that discussions were underway on how to make the corona vaccine available to the public. The ministry also stated that the complete regulations have been sent to the states.

A look at the detailed guidelines on how Indians would be vaccinated:

 → Firstly, a vaccination team consisting of five people will be formed, who will be called Vaccinator Officers.

 → One vaccinator officer will be present at the vaccination site, who will allow you to enter the vaccination centre only after checking all the necessary documents.

→ Another officer will try to connect the data with Co-WIN.

→ Twelve photo-identity documents, including Voter ID, Aadhar Card, driving license, passport and pension document will be required for the self-registration on the Co-WIN website

→ Only pre-registered beneficiaries will be inoculated at the vaccination site, in accordance with the prioritization. No on-the-spot registration will be allowed.

→ The third vaccinator is an official doctor who will administer the vaccine to the person

→  The other two vaccinators will monitor the vaccinated person for 30 minutes and control the crowd.

→  Vaccination time will be from 9 am to 5 pm.

→ There will be about one session a day and about 100 to 200 people will be given a dose of corona vaccine.

→ If the session site has adequate logistics and space available for waiting room and observation room along with arrangement for crowd management, one more vaccinator officer can be added to create a session for 200 beneficiaries, the guidelines stated.

→ In order to avoid mixing of different coronavirus vaccines in the field, the government has asked states to allocate the vaccine from one manufacturer to a district.

→ According to the government document, all measures need to be taken to avoid exposing the vaccine carrier, vaccine vials or ice packs to direct sunlight.

→ Vaccines and diluents should be kept inside the vaccine carrier with the lid closed until a beneficiary comes to the centre for vaccination, the guidelines mentioned.

→ Registration for vaccination can be done only on Co Win. The app will be uploaded by the Union Ministry, State Government and District Administration.

→ Documents like Aadhar Card, Driving License, Health Insurance Smart Card, MNREGA Job Card, PAN Card etc. will also have to be shown.

Meanwhile, it is not yet confirmed as to which corona vaccine will be rolled out in India in the first phase. However, the central government is fully prepared to vaccinate against corona.