As the country continues to struggle with the current coronavirus crisis, tomorrow is a big day for all of us. From tomorrow onwards, everyone in the age group of 18 to 44 can register for their first COVID-19 vaccine shot. Currently, vaccines happen to be our biggest defense against the deadly virus. Therefore, it is crucial that all of us take it seriously and get vaccinated ASAP. However, given the slew of information and misinformation out there, we can imagine how confusing it can get for all of you. So, to make it simple for you, we have jotted down everything that you ought to know before getting vaccinated. Scroll down to read the details:
How To Register?
Those above 45 can avail the facility of on-site registration to get vaccinated i.e. they can directly go to a vaccination centre for their COVID-19 vaccine. However, for those between 18 to 44, it is mandatory for them to register and book an appointment for vaccination. Once the process is open for all adults, a surge in demand is expected. So, to keep the crowd in check and ensure smooth operations, the authorities have taken the decision of mandatory registration. The registration process would start on both Aarogya Setu app and COWIN platform. The process is fairly simple. Here’s what you need to do:
Step 1: Login
Log in to cowin.gov.in with the help of your mobile number and OTP.
Step 2: Registration
Fill in the required information (name, DOB, photo Id proof, gender). You can register yourself and three other people for vaccination.
Step 3: Schedule An Appointment
You can schedule an appointment at the nearby vaccination centre based on your choice of the vaccine. The facility to cancel and reschedule your appointment is also available.
Step 4: Confirmation
Download the appointment slip. You will also get it on your registered phone number via SMS.
Step 5: Vaccination
On the scheduled day of your appointment, you can go and get vaccinated at the selected centre. You can schedule an appointment for the second dose after 28 days of the first jab.
Pricing
As per the Liberalised Pricing and Accelerated National COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy, COVID-19 vaccination will continue to be free for eligible population groups at the government centres. These include healthcare workers, frontline workers and those above 45 years of age.
Till now, private hospitals can charge up to Rs 250 per dose for a COVID-19 vaccine. However, this is going to drastically change after the revised pricing. Your COVID-19 vaccination process might cost you anywhere between zero to over Rs. 2400 depending on where you live and how you decide to go for vaccination.
The purchase price for Covishield (Serum Inst.) is Rs 400 per dose for the state government hospitals and Rs. 600 for private hospitals. The Covaxin (Bharat Bio) price is Rs 600 per dose for the state government hospitals and Rs. 1200 for private hospitals. However, it is important to note that what you end up paying for one shot might be way higher than this. A consolidated announcement regarding the capping of the prices and the final price point is yet to be made by the authorities.
However, since the announcement of the prices, a number of state governments have decided to vaccinate their citizens for free. These include Delhi, Maharashtra, Bihar, Jharkhand, UP, Goa, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, West Bengal, Assam, Odisha, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh.
Things To Keep In Mind
Here are a few things that you need to keep in mind before getting your first jab:
- Take medicines (if prescribed) and eat well ahead of vaccination.
- In case you have blood pressure issues or diabetes, it would be advisable to keep a check.
- If you are allergic to medication, or drugs, it is vital that you get an all-clear from a healthcare expert. You can go for a complete blood count (CBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), or Immunoglobulin-E (IgE) level check.
- In case you have received blood plasma or monoclonal antibodies as part of your COVID-19 treatment, or if you were infected in the last one and a half months, it’s advisable that you don’t go for the vaccination right now.
- Pain at the injection site, fever, chills, and fatigue are common side effects. There is no need to panic. These symptoms usually go away after a few days.
- It takes a few days for your body to build antibodies after vaccination. This means that you cannot afford to go lax after getting your vaccination and should continue using masks and follow social distancing.
Lastly, we urge you to register for vaccination ASAP and also help people who cannot bear the cost. Remember: together, we can win over this pandemic!
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