Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced that the third dose of the Covid vaccine will be administered to health workers, frontlines, and people above the age of 60 from January 10, next year. The decision came as the country witnessed a rise in Omicron Covid variant cases across different states in India. The prime minister also announced that Covid vaccination for children between 15-18 years of age will begin from January 3. India has recorded 6,500 new Covid infections in the last 24 hours and a total of 422 Omicron Covid variant cases. The total covid cases registered in the last 24 hours witnessed a 6.5 per cent drop compared to the previous day. However, the increase in Omicron cases saw a massive 37 per cent increase. The third dose will be administered to the eligible population after a gap of nine months from the second dose. "If you are above 60 years of age and have taken both doses and the gap between the second dose and the day you are registering is more than 9 months (39 weeks) then you are eligible," CoWIN chief Dr. RS Sharma told Economic Times.
Key Points :
1. Eligibility: Healthcare workers, frontline staff, and people above the age group of 60 years with co-morbidities are currently eligible for the third dose of the Covid vaccine, as per the Centre's guidelines. The third or precaution dose will be provided to the 60+ aged population, including those with comorbidities based on the doctor's recommendation.
2. Document Requirement: Since the jabs for people above 60 will be based on a doctor's recommendation, the senior citizens are required to provide a certificate from a registered medical practitioner. The certificate either be uploaded on the CoWIN portal or produced at a vaccination center to complete the procedure to receive the dose. They will also have to show medical proof that shows they have specified co-morbidities to be eligible for the dose.
3. Time: The difference between the second and third dose of the Covid vaccine is expected to be 9 to 12 months, news agency PTI reported.
4. Registration for 'precaution dose': Eligible population can register for the third jab on the CoWIN app, according to chief executive officer of the National Health Authority RS Sharma, Hindustan Times reported. The process for registration will be similar to the process which was followed during the registration of vaccination for the 45+ age group, the report added.
