To be eligible for the “precautionary” dosage of Covid vaccination, people over 60 with comorbidities will not be required to upload or provide a medical certificate. They must, however, see their doctor before receiving the vaccine, according to the Centre.
The decision was made during a Tuesday meeting between health secretary Rajesh Bhushan and state officials. The precautionary dose will be available to those over the age of 60 without the need for a doctor’s certificate.
Personnel on election duty will also qualify as frontline workers and will be eligible for the booster dose when nine months have passed since the second injection. According to the health ministry, CoWin will send reminder messages to all people who are eligible for the third dose, which will be reflected in digital vaccination certificates.
States have been recommended to establish separate vaccination centres for youngsters aged 15 to 18. The number of children aged 15 to 18 years old is expected to reach 7.40 crore, with the highest proportion in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh. Furthermore, 2.75 crore persons in the 60-plus age group are expected to have comorbidities across the country.
On Tuesday, Bhushan convened a video conference with all states and UTs to discuss the vaccination rollout for the 15-18 age range, as well as the precautionary third dosage for vulnerable groups and those in the 60+ age bracket with comorbidities.
He said only Covaxin is to be administered in the 15-18 age group. Eligible children can register on CoWin beginning January 1 or walk-in registration beginning January 3 when vaccinations begin. States have been told that they can designate some Covid vaccination centres specifically for the 15-18 age range, which will be reflected on CoWin.
