All you need to know about Covid-19 vaccination drive- people above 50 years and those below 50 with underlying chronic health disorders could begin next week

Healthcare workers, frontline workers, people above and below 50 with underlying chronic health disorders could seek immunisation next week

The regulatory authority had approved the vaccine on January 3: Shutterstock

G.S. Mudur   |   TT  |  New Delhi   |    06.01.21  :  India’s Covid-19 vaccination campaign that seeks to initially immunise healthcare workers, frontline workers, people above 50 years and those below 50 with underlying chronic health disorders could begin next week, the health ministry said on Tuesday.

“Based on feedback from the dry run (last week), we’re fully prepared to introduce Covid-19 vaccines within 10 days of the emergency use authorisation (by drug regulators),” health secretary Rajesh Bhushan said.

The regulatory authority had approved the vaccine on January 3. The government hopes to immunise around 300 million people from these priority groups over the next seven months. The Telegraph asked health officials and experts guiding the vaccination strategy about the steps towards immunisation.

How did the government arrive at the estimate of 300 million?

A national expert panel has identified four priority groups based on two risks — occupational risk to the Covid-19 infection and the risk of severe Covid-19 because of either age or underlying health disorders. The Centre, in consultation with states, has estimated that the numbers of beneficiaries are 10 million healthcare workers, 20 million frontline workers and 270 million people aged above 50 years or those below 50 with health disorders.

Will the vaccination campaign be simultaneously rolled out for all four priority groups?

The Centre has yet to announce details of the vaccination schedules but has indicated that the vaccines will be offered first to healthcare workers, frontline workers and people above 50 years, followed by those below 50 years with health disorders. The priority group of above 50 years may be further subdivided into those above 60 years to be vaccinated first, and then those between 50 and 60 years.

Which vaccines is the government using for the campaign? If more than one, who will get which vaccine?

The government for now has the option of two vaccines — the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine called Covishield and made by the Serum Institute in India, and Covaxin made by Bharat Biotech. The government has not yet indicated how much of which vaccine it would use where. Immunisation involves two doses and both doses have to be the same vaccine.

Are the vaccines available for private sales?

Not at the moment. In the early months of the campaign, the vaccines will be available only through the government. However, vaccine expert panel members have indicated that the vaccines could be available in the private market, possibly towards the end of the government campaign. Much would depend on the number of vaccines and doses available. 

How many doses are needed for the government campaign and how many doses does the government have?

To vaccinate 300 million people, the campaign would require 600 million doses. The government has not specified its inventory. But the Serum Institute has said it has stockpiled 50 million and could supply 100 million doses every month from February or March. Bharat Biotech has said it will have 20 million doses by February and could provide up to 500 million doses during the year.  

Would people need to register for the vaccine, and how?

Lists of healthcare workers and frontline workers have already been “populated” on a digital platform called Covid-19 Vaccine Intelligence Network. Members of the two other priority groups would need to register themselves as beneficiaries to receive the vaccines. The health ministry is expected to provide details of this registration process in the coming days.

How would people below 50 know if they are eligible for the vaccine or not?

An expert medical panel is expected to recommend clinical criteria — quantified thresholds for high blood pressure, blood sugar, kidney disease, lung disease, cardiovascular disease, or cancer — that would determine whether they are eligible for the immunisation. The criteria would seek to ensure that all people at high risk of severe Covid-19 would get immunised.

Is it mandatory to take the vaccine?

The vaccine is voluntary, but it is advisable to take the complete vaccine schedule to protect ourselves and near and dear ones and co-workers.

How would I know if I’m eligible for the vaccination?

The eligible beneficiaries would be informed through the registered mobile number about the health facility where the vaccination will be provided and the time. After registration, the beneficiary would receive an SMS on the mobile number specifying the date, time and place for vaccination.

What documents would be required for the registration of the eligible beneficiaries?

Driving licence, bank or post-office passbook, voter ID card, PAN card, MGNREGA card, passport, pension document, service identity card issued by central or state governments. A photo ID would be mandatory for the registration and at the vaccination site.

Are there any preventive measures or precautions that beneficiaries need to keep in mind?

People with active Covid-19 or symptomatic illness should defer vaccination for at least 14 days after the symptoms. All beneficiaries irrespective of past history of the infection should opt for the vaccine as it is expected to bolster the immune response against future infections.

After the vaccination, beneficiaries would be expected to remain at the vaccination site for observations for 30 minutes. This is important because in the event of a rare severe allergic reaction, they would receive prompt treatment. After the vaccination, some people may experience common side effects such as mild fever, pain at the site of the injection or body ache.

When will antibodies against the coronavirus emerge after the vaccination?

Antibodies are expected to emerge around two weeks after the second dose of the vaccine.