According to the latest coronavirus news, vaccination in India will kick off from January 16. This is a cause for celebration! The end of the long battle against COVID is near. But at the same time, you might have a few questions regarding the COVID-19 vaccination program. It is important to get all your queries answered before you go to get the COVID vaccine administered.
Q1: Do I have to get vaccinated?
Ans: In India the COVID vaccine is voluntary. But everyone should get vaccinated to keep themselves and their loved ones safe from a potentially lethal disease. Vaccination will stop the spread of this contagious virus.
Q2: Should a person who currently has COVID be vaccinated?
Ans: If it has been confirmed or is suspected that a person has COVID, then he/she should postpone getting vaccinated by at least 14 days since the resolution of COVID symptoms. This is advisable because a COVID positive person may spread the infection to others at the vaccination venue.
Q3: How is a COVID vaccine selected from the multitude of other vaccines?
Ans: The drug regulatory body goes over the safety and efficacy reports of the vaccine. These reports are prepared after analysing the results of human trials. Only if the reports are satisfactory, the regulatory body grants the coronavirus vaccine the license. Remember, you will need 2 doses of the same coronavirus vaccine.
Q4: Will India be able to store millions of vials of COVID vaccine at 2-8 degrees celsius?
Ans: India’s universal immunization program is the largest in the world. So India knows a thing or two about storing vaccines safely. Even so, the cold chain is being repaired and new cold boxes are being developed to meet the requirements of COVID-19 vaccine roll-out.
Q5: How will a person know if he/she is eligible for the coronavirus vaccine?
Ans: You will be informed through a message to your registered mobile number. The date of the vaccination too will be sent to you.
Q6: If I want to register as an eligible beneficiary, which documents will be needed?
Ans: To register yourself, you will need any of these documents-
- Aadhar
- Driving license
- Voter id
- PAN card
- Passport
- Employment card
- Pension document
- Health insurance smart card that has been issued by the Ministry of Labour
- MGNREGA certificate
- IDs issued to MPs, MLAs, MLCs
- Bank or Post Office passbooks
- Service cards issued by the Central Government, State Government or Public Limited Companies.
The COVID vaccine can save lives & it is the need of the hour. So, follow the instructions from your government and when the time comes, get yourself registered as a beneficiary.