COVID-19 vaccine will be voluntary but how it will be delivered?

The COVID-19 vaccination in India will be voluntary for its citizens as declared by the Union Health Ministry. In case people were to have second thoughts once they have reached the vaccination centre, they are allowed to decline to receive the vaccine.

The ministry advises getting a complete schedule of the anti-Coronavirus vaccine, regardless of being infected with COVID-19 previously, as it would develop a strong immune response. A protective level of antibodies will emerge two weeks after receiving the first dose and there will be a gap of 28 days between the two doses to complete the vaccination schedule.

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While answering a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the COVID-19 vaccine, the ministry said, “Vaccination for COVID-19 is voluntary. However, it is advisable to receive the complete schedule of the vaccine for protecting oneself against this disease and also to limit the spread of this disease to the close contacts including family members, friends, relatives and co-workers.”

There are six vaccines in progress being developed by Bharat Biotech with ICMR, Zydus Cadila, Genova, Oxford vaccine whose trial is being conducted by the Serum Institute of India, Sputnik V vaccine which is manufactured by Dr Reddy’s Lab in Hyderabad along with Gamaleya National Centre in Russia, and the last one is Biological E Ltd, Hyderabad, in collaboration with MIT, USA.

They continued to say that the COVID-19 vaccine will only be introduced when the safety is proven and assured. The common side effects of some individuals could include mild fever, pain at the site of the injection. States have begun to make arrangements for vaccine-related side effects as a measure towards safe vaccine delivery, according to a statement.

If an individual has chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, they must be more likely to take the vaccine as they are considered high-risk. Although the vaccine would initially be given to the frontline and health care workers who are deemed as the priority group. This is so that they can continue their work without the fear of the virus and the risk of their own lives. The 50 plus age group will also begin early contingent on vaccine availability.

The procedure would begin with the registration of a beneficiary as mandatory. After this, the information on the session site to visit and time will be shared. Post online registration, the beneficiary will receive an SMS on their registered mobile number containing the date, time and place of vaccination.

The beneficiaries would have to present their ID with photo, MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) job card, passbooks issued by Bank or Post Office, PAN card, passport pension document and service identity card issued by Central or State government. Public Limited Companies and voter ID must be given at the time of registration.

After all doses of the vaccine are provided, a QR code initiated certificate will be sent to the registered mobile number of the beneficiary.

The ministry added, “Remember to continue following key COVID-19 Appropriate Behaviors like wearing of a mask, maintaining hand sanitization and physical distance.”