COVID vaccination: How to book a slot? What documents will be needed?

As India completes a year of its vaccination journey against COVID-19, it is ready to enter a new phase by rolling out the vaccination drive for teens and precautionary shots for healthcare workers and older adults. The vaccination drive for adolescents between 15-18 years will commence from January 3 and precautionary doses for healthcare workers and 60+ adults with comorbidities will begin from January 10. Data suggest that in this phase of the vaccination drive about the 6 crore healthcare workers, frontline and 60+ adults will be eligible. The registration process for getting the dose will begin on January 1, 2022. Let's look at the vaccine that would be administered and how to register for the dose.

Till now the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has approved two vaccines for emergency usage on kids against COVID-19. Last week Bharat Biotech's Covaxin got a nod for emergency use on kids between the ages of 12 and 18, making it the second vaccine after Zydus Cadila. The three-dose DNA of Zydus Cadila shot was permitted to be used on adults and children over the age of 12 earlier in August. However, From January 3, only Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin will be administered to eligible recipients in the age group of 15-18 years. The vaccine tested on children is the same formulation as used on adults. Separate trials were needed to guarantee safety and efficacy on kids. The drug is safe and efficient on the original strain as well as subsequent variants. In the coming months, Serum Institute's Novavax and Biological E's Corbevax can be the third and fourth vaccine in this category.

The third precautionary shot to be administered to healthcare, frontline workers and 60+ adults will also be of the same vaccine that one had got in the first and second instances. As per the reports, any mixing of doses will take place based on the results of ongoing clinical trials. Initially, it was reported that the country’s top technical advisory body on COVID-19 vaccination is of consensus that the additional shot should be of a vaccine based on a platform different from that of the first two doses administered in the country. As Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin contains an inactivated virus, while Serum Institute’s Covishield (Oxford-AstraZeneca) and the Russian-made Sputnik V are adenovirus-based vaccines, it was speculated that the third dose will not be the same.

As per records, about 6 to 7 crore kids aged 15-18 years will be eligible for getting the dose from next month. 3 crores healthcare and frontline workers and about 3 crores of older adults with comorbidities will make up the list of the people who will get the third precautionary dose. Healthcare, frontline and 60+ people can only register for the third dose after 9 months from the second jab. It also means that some 60+ adults have to wait for a few more weeks before registering themselves. In the case of adolescence, all those born in the year 2007 will be eligible for the jab.

All the beneficiaries can register themselves through existing Co-WIN, or create a new account using their phone number. Children can book a slot using their parents’ existing accounts. The Co-WIN option can be found in the Aarogya Setu app or can be logged in through the Co-WIN portal (www.cowin.gov.in).

For kid

Booking of slots for children will open from January 1. Students can use documents issued by the Indian Government like Aadhaar Cards and passports. Additionally, they can also use their student identity cards. As per the health ministry, kids can register onsite by the verifier/vaccinator in facilitated registration mode. Appointments can also be booked online or onsite (walk-in). On the day of the vaccination, they have to carry proof of their appointment and their identity card.

For 60+ adults

For the precautionary dose, the beneficiary will have to carry the certificate of comorbidity to the vaccination center, along with other documents. They won't have to upload anything while booking the slot. Registration can be made through both online and onsite modes.