COVID-19 vaccination | From price to availability, all your questions answered

The first phase of nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive will begin on January 16, 2021.

The Central government said it would inoculate about one crore healthcare workers first. It would be followed by two crore front-line workers, police, armed forces, municipal workers, revenue staff and others in the second phase. While 27 crore people above 50 years of age and those with co-morbidities like diabetes, hypertension, and organ transplant patients will get the vaccine in the third phase.

By directly approaching the designated hospitals or medical centres, one cannot get the vaccine. They will have to register themselves online only using the CoWIN app. The app will soon be released in public domain. Once the app gets released, it could be downloaded from Google Play Store and Apple App Store. 

After a person registers online, he/she will receive an SMS on the due date, place and time of their vaccination. The app will also give reminders for the second dose, help one to reschedule the vaccination and report any adverse events. A unique health ID will be generated for each vaccine beneficiary in the CoWIN system, to help the government keep track. A QR code-based digital certificate will be sent via the application to those who have been administered both doses of the coronavirus vaccine.

Anyone wishing to register on CoWIN app, needs to upload any one of the twelve photo-identity documents such as voter card, Aadhaar, driving license, among others to register and for verification of the beneficiary at the session site to ensure that the intended person is vaccinated. 

The CoWIN platform collects individual information and keeps a digital record on who gets vaccinated by whom, when and which vaccine. To protect privacy, the data sets did not include names of any stakeholders or any other information that would allow identification of respondents. All physical copies of filled questionnaires and field notes were kept secure and confidential. All electronic data is stored on a password-protected computer, while backup of all data and analysis reports has been stored on an external encrypted hard drive. Still concerns about privacy and data protection persist.

Unlikely. The government has approved SII's Covishield vaccine for restricted use in emergency situations in individuals 18 years of age and above, while Bharat Biotech's Covaxin has been approved for 12 years and above. For pregnant women, it comes with restrictions. 

Currently, NO. 

a) Register himself/herself through CoWIN app.
b) One needs to be at the vaccination centre for at least half an hour after taking the COVID-19 vaccine.
c) Persons with one or more co-morbid conditions and considered high-risk categories, should get the vaccination.

Rs 200 per dose for SII's Covishield, but the price is fixed only for the first 1.1 crore doses supplied to the government. While, for Bharat Biotech's Covaxin, procured by the government would cost Rs 206 per dose.

Yes, the vaccines have been proven safe.

Mostly mild COVID-like symptoms like low fever and fatigue. Apart from this, reports of local injection site pain and induration have come to notice in some cases. 

The person needs to call or go to the nearest hospital. Also, report side-effects after vaccination to the vaccine maker's toll free number. (Serum Institute of India - +91-1800 1200124).