COVID-19 Vaccine Will Be Voluntary Says Health Ministry, Here Is Everything You Need To Know

Amid all the talks about the free COVID-19 vaccine for everyone in the country, the Union Health Ministry has said that taking it will be voluntary and up to the individual.

As the country is gearing up for the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine in the near future, the ministry has provided answers for some of the most frequently asked questions around the rollout.

AFP/ REPRESENTATIONAL IMAGE

Responding to the question of whether taking the vaccine mandatory, the ministry said this.

Vaccination for Covid-19 is voluntary. However, it is advisable to receive the complete schedule of the vaccine for protecting one-self against this disease and also to limit the spread of this disease to the close contacts including family members, friends, relatives and co-workers.

Here are some of the other questions and their answers by the Health Ministry.

Q: Will COVID 19 vaccine be given to everyone simultaneously?

A: Based on the potential availability of vaccines the Government of India has selected the priority groups who will be vaccinated priority as they are at higher risk. The first group includes healthcare and frontline workers. The second group to receive COVID 19 vaccine will be persons over 50 years of age and persons under 50 years with comorbid conditions.

Q: Is a COVID vaccine scheduled anytime soon?

A: Yes, vaccine trials are under different stages of finalisation. The government of India is geared to launch a vaccine for COVID 19 soon.

Six vaccines- one developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with ICMR, second one developed by Zydus Cadila, third one by Gennova, Oxford vaccine, trial of which is conducted by Serum Institute of India, Sputnik V vaccine which is being manufactured by Dr Reddy's Lab, Hyderabad, in collaboration with Russia's Gamaleya National Centre and the sixth one manufactured by Biological E Ltd, Hyderabad, in collaboration with MIT, USA are undergoing clinical trials in India.

Q: Will the vaccine be safe as it is being tested and introduced in a short span of time and what can be the possible side-effects?

A: Covid-19 vaccine will be introduced only when the safety is proven. As is true for other vaccines, the common side effects in some individuals could be mild fever, pain, etc. at the site of injection.

Q: Can a person presently having COVID-19 (confirmed or suspected) infection be vaccinated?

A: Person with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection may increase the risk of spreading the same to others at the vaccination site. For this reason, infected individuals should defer vaccination for 14 days after symptom resolution.

Q: Is it necessary for a COVID recovered person to take the vaccine?

A: Yes, it is advisable to receive a complete schedule of COVID vaccine irrespective of past history of infection with COVID-19. This will help in developing a strong immune response against the disease.

Q: Out of the multiple vaccines available, how is one or more vaccine chosen for administration?

A: The safety and efficacy data from clinical trials of vaccine candidates are examined by the Drug regulator of our country before granting the license for the same. Hence, all the COVID-19 vaccines that receive license will have comparable safety and efficacy. However, it must be ensured that the entire schedule of vaccination is completed by only one type of vaccine as different COVID-19 vaccines are not interchangeable.

Q: Does India have the capacity to store the COVID vaccine at a temperature of +2 to +8 degree Celsius and transport them at the required temperature?

A: India runs one of the largest Immunization programme in the world, catering to the vaccination needs of more than 26 million newborns and 29 million pregnant women. The programme mechanisms are being strengthened/geared up to effectively cater to the country¡¯s large and diverse population.

Q: Will the vaccine introduced in India be as effective as the ones introduced in other countries?

Yes. The COVID 19 vaccine introduced in India will be as effective as any vaccine developed by other countries. Various phases of vaccine trials are undertaken to ensure its safety and efficacy.

Q: How will I know if I am eligible for vaccination?

A: In the initial phase, COVID 19 vaccine will be provided to the priority group- Health Care and Front-line workers. The 50 plus age group may also begin early based on vaccine availability. The eligible beneficiaries will be informed through their registered mobile number regarding the Health Facility where the vaccination will be provided and the scheduled time for the same. This will be done to avoid any inconvenience in the registration and vaccination of beneficiaries.

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

A: No, registration of beneficiary is mandatory for vaccination for COVID 19. Only after registration the information on the session site to visit and time will be shared with the beneficiary.

Q: What documents are required for the registration of eligible beneficiaries?

A: Driving License, Health Insurance Smart Card issued under the scheme of Ministry of Labour, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural, Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), Job Card, Official identity cards issued to MPs/MLAs/MLCs, PAN Card, Passbooks issued by Bank/Post Office, Passport, Pension Document, Service Identity Card issued to employees by Central/ State Govt./Public Limited Companies and Voter ID

Q: Will a Photo / ID be required at the time of registration?

A: The Photo ID produced at the time of registration must be produced and verified at the time of vaccination.

Q: If a person is not able to produce a Photo ID at the session site, whether s/he be vaccinated or not?

A: Photo ID is a must for both registration and verification of beneficiary at session site to ensure that the intended person is vaccinated.

Q: How will the beneficiary receive information about the due date of vaccination?

A: Following online registration, beneficiaries will receive SMS on their registered mobile number on the due date, place, and time of vaccination.

Q: Will vaccinated beneficiaries receive information on the status of their vaccination after completion?

A: Yes. On getting the due dose of the COVID 19 vaccine, the beneficiary will receive SMS on their registered mobile number. After all doses of vaccine are administered, a QR code-based certificate will also be sent to the registered mobile number of the beneficiary.

Q: If one is taking medicines for illnesses like Cancer, Diabetes, Hypertension etc, can s/he take the COVID19 vaccine?

A: Yes. Persons with one or more of these comorbid conditions are considered a high-risk category. They need to get COVID -19 vaccination.

Q: What about the possible side-effects of the COVID-19 vaccine?

A: COVID Vaccine will be introduced only when the safety is proven. As is true for other vaccines, the common side effects in some individuals could be a mild fever, pain, etc. at the site of injection. States have been asked to start making arrangements to deal with any Covid-19 vaccine-related side-effects as one of the measures towards safe vaccine delivery among the masses.

Q: How many doses of the vaccine would have to be taken by me and at what interval?

A: Two doses of vaccine, 28 days apart, need to be taken by an individual to complete the vaccination schedule.

Q: When would antibodies develop? After taking the first dose, after taking a second dose, or much later?

A: Protective levels of antibodies are generally developed two weeks after receiving the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.