Covid-19 Vaccination: India will embark on the largest vaccination drive after almost half a crore doses of Serum Institute of India’s (SII’s) Covishield vaccine were shipped out of Pune to cities across India on Tuesday.  The mass inoculation drive will kick off on Saturday (January 16) against the novel coronavirus in the second-highest populated country in the world. However, there are several doubts regarding the doses, its side effects and other things. Also Read: Health Ministry Warns People Not To Flout Covid-19 Guidelines Post Vaccination

Here is what you should know about the upcoming vaccination drive against coronavirus that has turned the world upside down.

What are the two vaccines to be inoculated?

The drug regulator granted the emergency use approval for two indigenous vaccines — Covishield by Serum Institute of India and Covaxin by Bharat Biotech.

How to get the vaccination?

If you want to get vaccinated you have to approach the designated hospitals or medical centres. To get vaccinated, one has to register themselves online.

What is the registration process?

You can get the registration done only through CoWin app. However, the app is not yet released in public domain. Once the app gets released, it could be downloaded from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

All beneficiaries will have to mandatorily upload any one of the government-issued photo ID cards which includes Aadhaar, PAN, driving license and others while registering themselves.

Will you have the freedom to choose the vaccine?

No, the government is not providing any choice as of now.

"In many countries, more than one vaccine is being used. There is no such option available to any of the beneficiaries in these countries," Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said during a press briefing on Tuesday.

What is the cost of the two vaccines?

Rs 200 per dose for Covishield, but the price is fixed only for the first 1.1 crore doses supplied to the government.

On the other hand , the first 55 lakh doses of Covaxin, procured by the government from Bharat Biotech, would cost Rs 206 per dose.

Is it mandatory to take the vaccine?

It is to be noted that the vaccination for Covid-19 is completely voluntary, but it is advisable to get the complete schedule of the vaccine for protecting oneself against this deadly disease.

Can a person with Covid-19 (confirmed or suspected) infection be vaccinated?

No. Such a person has to defer his vaccination by at least 14 days.

Can a person get the COVID-19 vaccine without registration with Health Department?

No. One can be vaccinated only after registering himself through CoWin App.

What about those who recovered from Covid?

It is suggested that a person who has recovered from Covid-19 to take the vaccine as antibodies he/she may have developed may not last for a long period.

Can you stop using facemasks and do away with social distancing after the jab?

It is necessary to maintain COVID-19 safety norms even after being vaccinated.

"The inoculation effect takes 14 days to develop after the administration of the two dosages. Hence it is imperative to maintain COVID appropriate behavior," Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said in the latest press briefing.

How much safe are these vaccines?

Yes, the vaccines have been proven safe. The Health Ministry has noted that both Covaxin and Covishield have recorded negligible cases of side-effects.

When will vaccination begin for non-priority groups?

In the first phase of the COVID-19 vaccination drive, health workers, both from government and private institutions, will be vaccinated along with sanitation workers, other frontline workers, defence forces, police and other paramilitary forces.  Only after the government completes the inoculation of healthcare, frontline workers, senior citizens and those with comorbidities. The Health Ministry aims to vaccinate a population of nearly 30 crore by July.

Do you have to compulsorily take two doses of the vaccine?

Both the vaccines approved in India are based on the two-dose regimen. Both shots are to be taken at the interval of 28 days to complete the vaccination process.

Can cancer, diabetes, and hypertension patients also take the COVID-19 vaccine?

Yes, they are included in the priority group. Those with comorbidities would be vaccinated at the earliest.