The Ministry for Health has said that vaccination for covid-19 is voluntary. It has however been suggested that the complete dosage must be taken. There have been several queries pertaining to the vaccination.

The Ministry has assured that the vaccine available in India will be as effective as vaccination available in other countries.  Emphasis has been laid on the fact that the recovered covid patients must take the entire dosage as prescribed as it will help in developing immunity against the virus and limit the spread of the virus among the close contacts and others.

Priority will be given to the people at higher risk. The phase 1 of the vaccination will be provided to healthcare and frontline workers. The 2nd group to receive vaccination will be people over 50 years of age with situations like hypertension, diabetes, and chronic liver and kidney ailments.

The eligible beneficiaries will be informed about the vaccination via text message on their registered mobile numbers informing them about the entire process.  A QR code will be sent to the beneficiary on the registered mobile number.

It has also been stated that the vaccination is not advisable for the presently infected people. The infected people are likely to spread the infection at the vaccination site. They will be vaccinated only after 14 days of symptom resolution.

People who have recovered from the virus can be vaccinated, and they must receive complete schedule of the shots. The vaccine will be given in 2 doses with a gap of 28 days between 2 shots. The protection levels of antibodies generally develop 2 weeks after the 2nd dose of vaccination.

Vaccines will be introduced once the regulatory bodies clear it on the basis of efficacy and safety. Any of the identification documents with photographs must be produced at the time of registration for vaccination: driving license, smart card issued under labour ministry, MGNREGA job card, official ID-cards issued to MPs/MCs/ MLAs. PAN card, passbook issued by bank, passport, pension document, service ID issued to government employees, and Voter ID.

Post vaccination, the person will stay at the vaccination centre for half an hour. If any kind of discomfort is experienced, the nearest health authorities must be immediately informed. The vaccination might result in some common side effects like fever, pain etc. as in any other vaccination. The relevant states have been asked to make arrangements to deal with the covid vaccine side effects as one of the safety measures towards safe vaccine delivery.

The important mandates have been emphasised that masks must be worn at all times, sanitisers must be used and social distancing must be maintained even after vaccination.   

media reports