Here's how you can register for the Covid-19 vaccine

As the third phase of the Covid-19 vaccination drive in India kicks off, people over the age of 60 and those over 45 with comorbidities will be able to get the Covid-19 vaccine from March 1. On February 26, 2021, the Union Health Ministry disclosed that those willing to take the Covid-19 vaccine would have to follow one of the three routes to get the jab.

Also read: Co-Win gets update, set for public rollout of Covid vaccine from March 1

Here is all you need to know about registering for the Covid-19 vaccine:

1. The process of registration shall be through three routes — Advance Self-Registration, On-site Registration, and Facilitated Cohort Registration.

2. The beneficiaries will be able to self-register in advance by downloading the Co-WIN 2.0 portal. This can also be done through other IT applications such as Arogya Setu etc.

3. After self-registration, the government and private hospitals serving as CVCs will show up with availbale dates and time slots. The beneficiary would be able to choose the CVC of his/her choice and book an appointment for vaccination.

4. Those who cannot self-register in advance, have the option to register on-site, allowing them to walk into the identified CVC and get vaccinated.

5. There is also a third option wherein the state governments can register bulk slots for inoculating a group of individuals and bring them to the vaccination centre. A specific date for Covid-19 vaccination will be decided where target groups of potential beneficiates will be vaccinated.

State and health authorities will ensure that the target groups are brought to the vaccination centres. ASHAs, ANMs, Panchayati Raj representatives and Women's Self Help Groups (SHGs) will help in mobilising the groups.

6. Citizens above 60 years are eligible for the vaccine while those between 45-59 years will have to produce a certificate from a registered doctor specifying the comorbidities that they may have. The cut-off date for calculating the age is January 1, 2021.

7. The healthcare and frontline workers who had missed out on their vaccination schedule can also get the shots if they produce a letter from their employer or an ID card as proof of their profession.

8. All beneficiaries would be captured on Co-WIN 2.0 platform and issued a digital QR Code based provisional (on receiving the first dose) and final (on receiving the second dose) certificates.

9. The vaccination certificates can be downloaded from the link shown in the SMS the beneficiary shall receive after the vaccination. Print outs of these certificates can also be taken from the vaccination centres.

10. As the Co-WIN software is being upgraded, there would not be any vaccination on Saturday and Sunday. The upgraded software will also be rolled out on March 1.

How much will the vaccines cost?

Vaccination will be free of charge at government vaccination centres. Those taking the Covid-19 vaccine at any designated/empanelled private health facility will have to pay a pre-fixed charge, the Union Health Ministry said. However, the amount charged at private hospitals will be decided by the Health Ministry within the next three-four days as they are holding talks with manufacturers as well as hospitals.

Which documents are required?

All beneficiaries, regardless of the mode of access, will have to carry any one of the following photo ID document — Aadhar Card, Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC), Photo ID card specified at the time of registration in case of online registration (if not Aadhar or EPIC), certificate of co-morbidity for citizens in the age group of 45 years to 59 years (signed by a registered medical practitioner), employment certificate/ Official Identity Card – (either but with photo and date of birth) for HCWs and FLWs.

Also read: Covid-19 vaccination Phase III in India: All you need to know

Since the nationwide Covid-19 vaccination drive which was rolled out on January 16, the cumulative number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered to healthcare and frontline workers has crossed 1.23 crore in the country.

Earlier this week, the Union Cabinet approved rolling out the vaccine for the general population from March 1 at 10,000 government and 20,000 private hospitals. The Centre has set aside a corpus of Rs 35,000 crore for the vaccination drive.

(With PTI inputs)