With Covid-19 vaccination dry runs being conducted across the country, it will soon be time for mega vaccination drive against coronavirus infection. On Sunday, the government has approved the restricted emergency use of two vaccines against novel coronavirus — Covishield by Serum Institute of India and Covaxin developed by Bharat Biotech. Also Read: Flights To UK Resume From Today Amid Concerns Over New Covid-19 Strain

Who are the ones to get vaccination first?

In line with the suggestions from National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19, the state government has started identifying beneficiaries. The first phase of vaccination will cover almost 30 crore people for vaccination. The healthcare and frontline workers and those above 50 years old will receive the jab on a priority basis.

Here are the priority groups that will receive vaccine during the first phase: (i) Approximately one crore, healthcare workers (HCWs) healthcare providers and workers in healthcare setting, (ii) About two crore frontline Workers (FLWs) which includes personnel from state and central police, armed forces, home guards, civil defence and disaster management volunteers, municipal workers, (iii) Approximately 27 crore prioritized age group population above 50 years and persons below 50 years with associated co-morbidities.

Who needs to register for Covid-19 vaccination?

The COVID Vaccine Intelligence Network (Co-WIN) system — a digitalised platform — will be used to track enlisted beneficiaries for the vaccination and coronavirus vaccines on a real-time basis.

It is to be noted that only pre-registered beneficiaries will be vaccinated in accordance with the prioritization, the health ministry had said. There will be no provision for on the-spot registrations.

After the registration is complete, the beneficiary will receive SMS on their registered mobile number on the due date, place and time of vaccination. You will need photo-identity documents, including Voter ID, Aadhar card, driving license, passport and pension document for self-registration on the Co-WIN website.

However, healthcare and frontline workers do not need to register themselves for vaccination. "Healthcare workers and frontline workers would not need to register themselves as a beneficiary as their data is bulk database that has been populated on the Co-WIN vaccine delivery management system in a bulk manner," according to Rajesh Bhushan, health secretary.

As per the latest update, the ministry of health and family affairs said that the government is prepared to roll out COVID-19 vaccines within 10 days of granting emergency use authorisation. "Based on feedback of dry-run, govt said it is ready to introduce COVID-19 vaccine within 10 days from date of emergency use authorisation," informed Bhashan.