As the nation braces for upcoming COVID-19 surges due to the Omicron variant, Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi announced a “precaution dose” for Indian healthcare and frontline workers along with senior citizens over 60 which would be administered from 10th January, 2022.
On Saturday, 25th December, 2021, it was declared that citizens above the age of 60 years with comorbidities can avail the option of a ‘precautionary’ third dose of the vaccine as per the advice of their doctor starting 10th January, 2022.
If you are above the age of 60, you can either register yourself on Co-WIN from 1st January, 2022 or avail of a walk-in registration when vaccination commences.
Here is all you need to know.
Eligibility For The ‘Precaution’ Dose
Only at-risk population like healthcare workers, frontline workers, and senior citizens above the age of 60 with comorbidities can register for a ‘precaution’ dose.
People aged 60 years and above with comorbidities will not be required to produce or submit any certificate from a doctor at the time of administration of the precaution dose. However, they are expected to seek the advice of their doctor before deciding to avail of the precaution dose themselves.
Just for your reference, the following conditions were considered when vaccination was made available to those above 45 years of age but suffered certain comorbidities:
- Heart failure with hospitalisation in the last one year
- Post cardiac transplant/left ventricular assist device
- Significant left ventricular systolic dysfunction
- Moderate or severe valvular heart disease
- Congenital heart disease with severe PAH or idiopathic PAH
- Coronary artery disease with past CABG/PTCA/MI and hypertension/diabetes on treatment
- Angina and hypertension/diabetes on treatment
- CT/MRI documented stroke and hypertension/diabetes on treatment
- Pulmonary artery hypertension and hypertension/diabetes on treatment
- Diabetes (>10 years or with complications) and hypertension/diabetes on treatment
- Kidney/liver/hematopoietic stem cell transplant: Recipient/on wait list
- End stage kidney disease on hemodialysis/CAPD
- Current prolonged use of oral corticosteroids/immunosuppressant medication
- Decompensated cirrhosis
- Severe respiratory disease with hospitalisations in last two years/FEV1 < 50%
- Lymphoma/leukemia/Myeloma
- Diagnosis of any solid cancer on or after 1st July 2020 or currently on any cancer therapy
- Sickle cell disease/bone marrow failure/aplastic anemia/thalassemia major
The Vaccine For The ‘Precaution’ Dose
An additional dose of the same vaccine will be given to those who are receiving a ‘precaution’ dose. Precaution doses will be a third dose of the same vaccine a person has taken — be it Covishield or Covaxin. The ‘precaution’ dose that is scheduled to be available to healthcare workers, frontline workers, and those over 60 with comorbidities will be of the same vaccine as the first and second dose.
The NTAGI as well as other bodies are assessing the available data on the safety and efficacy of all the vaccines globally. A set of clear-cut guidelines on what the recommended vaccine will be released before 10th January.
The key aspect to consider will be the gap.
The Gap
As per the Union Health Secretary, when it comes to the administration of the precautionary dose, a period of nine months must have elapsed since the administration of the second dose to make you eligible.
How To Register for A Vaccination Slot?
You can register for the vaccination shot on the government’s CoWin platform. The CoWin platform will automatically reflect who will be eligible for the precautionary dose. CoWIN app will send reminder messages to all those eligible for a precaution dose, which will be reflected in digital vaccination certificates.
Additional Reading: https://blog.bankbazaar.com/how-to-register-for-the-covid-19-vaccine/
Cost
All citizens irrespective of their income status are entitled to free COVID-19 vaccination at government vaccination centres. Those who can pay are urged to utilise private hospitals’ vaccination centres. The previously stated price for each vaccine at a private centre will remain the same for citizens that are eligible for a precaution dose.
The latest government guidelines has come into force from 3rd January and be revisited on a timely basis. So, stay safe and stay at home – if you’re in the market for a Credit Card, get one from the safety of your home. Just click the link below: