Guwahati: The Union Ministry of Health on Friday announced the rollout of the precautionary third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine for the 18-plus population at private vaccination centres from April 10, Sunday.
The ministry said all those who are more than 18 years of age and have completed nine months after receiving the second dose of the vaccine would be eligible for the precautionary third dose. However, for those in this particular age group, it would only be available at private centers.
At present, India is administering the precautionary third dose to priority groups – healthcare workers, frontline workers, and to those aged above 60. This is being administered free of cost at government vaccination centres. According to official data, more than 2.4 crore precautionary doses have been administered so far.
According to the health ministry sources, the precautionary third dose will be of the same vaccine platform that the beneficiary had received during the two-dose schedule. In other words, persons who received two doses of Covishield —— will have to take the third dose of Covishield as a precautionary dose.
The booking of slots, as usual, can be done through the CoWIN portal. Here’s how you can book an appointment for the precautionary dose:
(1.) Log in to https://selfregistration.cowin.gov.in/
(2.) Enter the mobile number used for booking slots for the first and second dose.
(3.) A one-time password (OTP) will be sent to the registered mobile number.
(4.) You will now see details of the first two doses, as well as the Precaution dose tab. You will also see the number of days left for the booster dose and the due date.
(5.) Then, click on the ‘Schedule precaution dose’ tab to book an appointment.
(6.) Search for a vaccination centre using PIN code or by selecting district and state.
(7.) Select a centre and the time slot. Also, you will be inoculated with the same jab as for the first two shots.
(8.) Upon successfully booking a slot, its details will be visible on the screen.
(9.) As a confirmation of the appointment, you will receive a message from VM-NHPSMS on your registered mobile number. An OTP will also be sent; it is to be shown at the vaccination centre.
