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Coronavirus News Updates: Glitches, OTP delays reported on Day 1 of vaccine rollout; President Kovind, PM, Amit Shah take first dose of Covaxin

21:56 (IST)

Nepal planning to purchase 2 million COVID-19 vaccines from India

Nepal is all set to start the second phase of COVID-19 vaccination drive for people aged above 55 years from 7 March, the health minister has said, as the country is planning to purchase an additional 2 million doses of vaccine from India, reports PTI.

As many as 14,000 vaccinators, including the mobile teams, will be mobilised to inoculate the largest chunk of the population, Health Ministry officials said, adding all people in this age group have been placed in the second priority group.

People’s trust in the vaccines is increasing and the rule of priority is strictly followed in inoculation, Minister for Health and Population Hridayesh Tripathi told the media on Sunday.

21:37 (IST)

No issue in Co-WIN, “walk-in systems” to be streamlined: Harsh Vardhan

Health Minister Harsh Vardhan today said that in the next few days, the “walk-in system” for people will be further streamlined in states to ensure smooth functioning.

“We have given some relaxation to state governments. In the next few days, the walk-in system will be streamlined, a provision is in place for this. A certain number of people can go to the centres after taking appointments through booking,” Dr Vardhan said.

Reassuring that the Co-WIN portal is functioning without any issues, the union minister said that: “there are many people in the country who can’t access or face difficulties in booking. All these systems will be streamlined within one week. As of now, there is no issue in the Co-WIN portal.”

21:26 (IST)

SBI donates Rs 11cr for govt’s COVID-19 vaccination drive

State Bank of India on Monday said it has contributed Rs 11 crore to the PM-Cares Fund to support the next phase of the government’s COVID-19 vaccination drive, reports PTI.

The second phase of the COVID-19 vaccination drive started in the country on 1 March.

The fight against the pandemic is not yet over, and as a responsible corporate citizen, we consider it our duty to support the government’s efforts to vaccinate all. I request everyone to come forward and help in whatever way they can to ensure a successful vaccination drive, the bank’s Chairman Dinesh Khara said in a release.

21:11 (IST)

Mumbai sees 855 cases, 876 recoveries, 4 deaths today

Mumbai on Monday recorded 855 COVID-19 cases and four deaths, taking the tally to 3,26,770 and the toll to 11,474, while 876 people recovered during the day, an official said.

So far, 3,04,736 people, or about 93 per cent of the caseload, have been discharged, leaving the country’s financial capital with 9,690 active cases, he added.

The daily growth rate of cases increased to 0.28 per cent from 0.17 per cent on February 17, while the case doubling time shortened from 417 days to 244, BMC data revealed.

21:04 (IST)

Haryana health minister says will not get second dose of vaccine against COVID-19

Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij on Monday said that he did not need vaccination against coronavirus as he has a “high antibody count”.

His comments came as the next phase of the COVID-19 vaccine drive was rolled out in the country for those above 60 years of age and above 45 years with comorbidities.

“Today coronavirus vaccination drive is beginning for the general public. Everyone should get it without any hesitation.

“I cannot receive the vaccine because after being infected my antibody count is currently 300, which is quite high. Maybe the trial vaccine I had taken also had a role to play. I do not need the vaccine at this moment,” Vij said in a tweet in Hindi.

20:56 (IST)

New one-day COVID-19 cases fall below 8,000 after five days in Maharashtra

After reporting more than 8,000 COVID-19 cases for five consecutive days, Maharashtra on Monday witnessed a slight dip in fresh infections with the addition of 6,397 cases, taking the overall tally to21,61,467, the state Health Department said. With 30 more patients succumbing to the COVID-19disease, the overall death toll in the state mounted to52,184, it said, reports PTI.

A total of 5,754 patients were discharged during the day, taking the count of recoveries in Maharashtra to20,30,458, a health official said, adding that the state is now left with 77,618 active cases. “Of the 30 deaths reported today, 23 had occurred in the last 48 hours and three in the last week. Rest four deaths are from the period before the last week,” he said.

Maharashtra reported over 8,000 new cases for five days in a row till Sunday when 8,293 infections were added to the state’s tally. On Monday, Mumbai reported 855 new cases and four fatalities, taking the overall tally to 3,26,774 and the toll to 11,479, the department said.

20:23 (IST)

PM taking COVID vaccine should remove doubts about side-effects: Harsh Vardhan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi taking an indigenously developed COVID-19 vaccine should remove all doubts that people have about its side-effects, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said, underlining no death has occurred till now due to anti-coronavirus vaccination in the country.

Vardhan said that if any death occurs a few days after receiving the jab, it cannot be linked to vaccination because each such death is being scientifically probed.

The minister through a tweet said that he would take the shot on Tuesday and appealed to all those aged 60 and above and aged 45 and above having specified co-morbidities to immediately take the vaccine. 

20:13 (IST)

Tamil Nadu governor receives jab

Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit took the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at the Government Omandurar Medical College Hospital in Chaennai on Monday when the nationwide vaccination of 60-plus age group and those aged between 45-59 with co-morbidities, commenced Dravidar Kazhagam president K Veeramani also took the shot at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital in Chennai, officials said.

PTI

20:09 (IST)

Karnataka health minister urges people to get vaccinated

Karnataka Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar on Monday urged people to get the COVID vaccine shot, saying when Prime Minister Narendra Modi can get vaccinated there should not be any hesitation in taking it. “It is necessary to get vaccinated.Prime Minister himself has taken the jab and set an example for others to follow,” Sudhakar said as he launched the vaccination drive in Sirsi.  People should take the jab without any hesitation, the minister said, adding that vaccination can prevent serious consequences of infection.
 
PTI

20:03 (IST)

Those unable to register on Co-WIN  can opt for walk-in, says official

“Those who couldn’t get registered on CoWIN and are not able to access the Internet can go to any centre and opt for walk-in vaccination facility. They just have to carry their identity proof with them,” Sharma further said.

ANI

20:01 (IST)

No glitch in CoWIN, says official

RS Sharma, Head of the Empowered Panel on Covid-19 vaccinations said that there was no glitch in CoWIN right from the start. ” Some people had spread misinformation that there is CoWIN app. Later, we specified that there is no such app. Registration can be done on Aarogya Setu app and CoWIN portal,” he told news agency ANI. ‘The CoWIN system is operating well and hasn’t faced any glitches.” he claimed, amid reports of users facing troubles in registering and delays reported in some places.

19:53 (IST)

Many in Delhi face troubles in registering for vaccination

The COVID-19 vaccination drive for people above 60 years and those aged 45 and above with comorbidities began in Delhi on Monday with many complaining of issues faced during online registration for the jabs. While many people who queued up at the hospitals expressed “confidence”, others said they were “nervous” while waiting to receive the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. 

 
Prasoon Narain Agarwal (70) said he tried registering through the CO-WIN portal, but did not receive any intimation about the location of the hospital. “That is why I was forced to come here physically because this is the nearest hospital. I have been standing in queue for about an hour but haven’t been able to figure out what to do,” said the Jasola-based businessman. Arun Kumar Gupta (66), a retired bank manger, said he waited for almost three hours to get the vaccine.
 
PTI

19:36 (IST)

Delays reported at few vaccination sites in Rajasthan

 
Teething troubles were witnessed at a few places in Rajasthan as the second phase of the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive began on Monday. The day started with enthusiasm among the senior citizens who reached the vaccination centres for getting the first dose. However, problems like delay in registration were encountered during the initial hours. At some centres including the one at Jaipuria hospital in Jaipur, people had to wait for one to two hours before getting the shot while technical glitches delayed the drive at a few places including six sites in the super specialty block of the new medical college hospital in Kota.
 
PTI

19:26 (IST)

Amit Shah takes first vaccine dose

Union Home Minister Amit Shah takes first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, reports news agency PTI quoting officials. According to ANI, Shah was vaccinated by Medanta Hospital doctors.

19:22 (IST)

COVID-19 vaccine supplies have reached six African nations, says official

COVID vaccine supplies from India have landed in at least six African nations and millions of doses are committed for UN health workers and peacekeepers on a grant basis, said, Rahul Chhabra —Secretary (Economic Relations) in the Ministry of External Affairs. Chhabra said that vaccine supplies have already gone out and at least six African countries have received them, including Seychelles, Mauritius, Algeria, Morocco, Egypt and South Africa.
 
PTI

19:00 (IST)

S Jaishankar gets first dose

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar took the first jab of Covid-19 vaccine. “Felt secure, will travel safely,” he said on Twitter.

18:42 (IST)

PM set powerful example for all Indians, says Bharat Biotech MD

“We thank the Honble Prime Minister Sh.Narendra Modi for taking the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine himself and are deeply appreciative of the gesture. This has set a powerful example for all Indians to follow, which will go a long way in reducing vaccine hesitancy and building confidence in immunization against the ongoing pandemic,” said Krishna Ella, Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Biotech    “We express our sincere gratitude to the Honble Prime Minister for reposing his trust in the indigenously developed COVID-19 vaccine, COVAXIN. We urge all fellow citizens to not hesitate from taking part in the COVID-19 immunization programme so that the country can bring an end to this public health crisis,” Ella said.

PTI

18:36 (IST)

Bharat Biotech hails Modi for taking COVID-19 vaccine

The personal example set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in taking the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine would give a huge boost to the immunization campaign against the pandemic, Hyderabad vaccine maker Bharat Biotech said on Monday.

Modi was administered Covaxin, developed by Bharat Biotech, at the AIIMS in Delhi on the very first day of expansion of the inoculation drive to cover people aged 60 and above and those between 45-59 having co-morbidities.

Hailing Modi for taking the vaccine on the first day, Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Biotech International Limited Krishna Ella also expressed gratitude to him for reposing trust in Covaxin.

18:18 (IST)

Not afraid of COVID-19, won’t take jabs, says farmers

Protesting farmer leaders in the vulnerable age group on Monday said they are not afraid of coronavirus and won’t take vaccine jabs, even as the second phase of vaccination drive got underway to inoculate senior citizens and those above 45 with underlying medical conditions.

However, they also said they will not stop any farmer camping at several Delhi borders from getting vaccinated as it is an individual choice.

The 80-year-old armer leader Balbir Singh Rajewal, a senior member of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha which is spearheading the agitation, said he will not go to vaccination centres to receive the jabs.

“I don’t need vaccine jabs. We have killed corona. Farmers’ immunity level is strong because they work hard on their fields. Farmers are not afraid of coronavirus,” Rajewal told PTI.

17:57 (IST)

Vaccination drive launched in Puducherry

The second phase of thevaccination against COVID -19 was launched in Puducherry on Monday to cover those aged above 60. Director of the Health Department S Mohan Kumar set in motion the programme at the Indira Gandhi Government Hospital and Research Institute. A health department official said the vaccine would be administered in all primary health centres from 9 AM to 5 PM.  A decision to give the shot on Sundays would be taken soon. He said those in the age group of 45 and above with pre-existing health conditions were also being vaccinated.

PTI

17:45 (IST)

Vaccination drive underway in Kerala; CM to receive jab soon

Several senior citizens received the COVID-19 vaccine in Kerala on Monday, the first day of the second phase of the vaccination drive.Chief Minister of the state Pinarayi Vijayan, Health Minister K K Shailaja and their Cabinet colleagues are getting ready to receive the shot in the coming days. Many government hospitals witnessed separate queues of aged people to register directly and receive the free vaccine. Over 300 private hospitals also cooperated with the government in the mass drive across the southern state.

PTI

17:24 (IST)

Over one million have registered on Co-WIN till 1pm, says Centre

Over one million citizens have registered themselves on the Co-WIN portal till 1 pm on Monday, the Union Health Ministry said as India opened up vaccination for those over 60 years and within the age bracket of 45 to 59 years with specified comorbidities.

17:21 (IST)

Second phase of COVID19 vaccination drive: Visuals from Pune

17:13 (IST)

SC judges won’t be allowed to choose vaccine, clarifies Centre

The Union Health ministry issued a clarification stating that  SC judges will not be allowed to choose between Covaxin and Covishiled in the vaccination drive. “It is Wrong.They are Not allowed to choose. It will be entirely through Co-Win System.Government Facility (CGHS Dispensary) within Supreme Court to be used,” reports quote the ministry as saying.

16:45 (IST)

Rajasthan governor Kalraj Mishra gets first vaccine dose

16:31 (IST)

SC judges to be vaccinated tomorrow

Judges of the Supreme Court will be vaccinated tomorrow and they will be allowed to choose between Covaxin and Covishiled, two vaccines currently approved in India, reports Bar&Bench. Family members of the judges will also receive the vaccine and retired SC judges and their family members also to be included in the vaccination drive.

16:18 (IST)

NCP chief Sharad Pawar gets first dose

NCP chief Sharad Pawar, his wife,and MP daughter on Monday received the first dose of COVID-19
vaccine at a civic hospital in Maharashtra’s Mumbai, a senior health official said. The former Union minister was administered ‘Covishield’ vaccine, which is manufactured by Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII) in collaboration with the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca, he said. “Pawar (80) took the first shot of the vaccine along with his wife Pratibha Pawar and daughter Supriya Sule,” Dr Tatyaro Lahane, Director of the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER), told reporters.

16:16 (IST)

Six states reported surge in fresh cases, says health ministry

Maharashtra, Kerala, Punjab, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat have shown a surge in new COVID-19 cases, contributing to 87.25 percent of 15,510 fresh infections reported in a day, the Union Health Ministry said on Monday.  Maharashtra alone accounts for 46.39 percent of India’s total active cases, followed by Kerala with 29.49 percent.
 
“A total of 15 states and union territories have registered more than 1,000 active cases. Kerala and Maharashtra are the two states with over 10,000 active cases, while the rest of the 13 states and UTs have between 1,000-10,000 active cases,” the ministry said. The total number of cases with the UK, South Africa and Brazil variants of SARS-CoV-2 in the country as on date has reached 213, the ministry said.
 
PTI

16:03 (IST)

97-yr-old first to get COVID-19 vaccine in Bengaluru in general category

 A 97-year old man became the first to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Bengaluru as the drive for inoculating the general public got underway in Karnataka on
Monday.  Senior citizens sporting face masks queued up at private Manipal Hospitals in Bengaluru for getting the vaccine shot.  Some of the beneficiaries were wheelchair bound. “Ramaswami Parthasarathy, 97-year-old, was the first to get vaccinated,” Manipal Hospitals said in a statement.

15:54 (IST)

Union minister Jitendra Singh gets vaccinated

15:43 (IST)

Co-WIN app for administrators, registations to be done on web portal: Health Ministry

The Union Health Ministry that the Co-WIN app on Play Store is meant for use only by administrators, and that registration and booking for appointment for COVID-19 vaccination has to be done through the portal. This was clarified by the ministry amid reported glitches in doing registrations as India opened up vaccination for senior citizens and those aged 45 and above with comorbidities.

15:36 (IST)

No issue with Co-WIN app, says Harsh Vardhan

Speaking to news agency ANI, Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said “A certain number of people can walk-in at the centre. There are many people in the country who can’t access or face difficulty in booking. All these systems will be streamlined within one week. As of now, there is no issue in the app (Co-WIN).”

The health minister’s statement comes amid reports of glitches in the Co-WIN app in Pune and Nagpur.

15:18 (IST)

Vaccination drive for senior citizens begins at 37 govt facilities in Goa

The COVID-19 vaccination drive for senior citizens and those above the age of 45 with comorbidites began at 37 centres in Goa on Monday along with the rest of the country. State Immunisation Officer Dr Rajendra Borkar said the drive has started in 37 government-run facilities and a meeting would be held shortly to get private hospitals on board as well. “The response so far has been good. The 37 centres include GMCH, South Goa District Hospital, Mapusa, Ponda Sub District Hospital. Each centre has a target of administered  100 doses per day,” he said. 
 
PTI
 

15:06 (IST)

Rise in cases not linked to any mutation, says Harsh Vardhan

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said that ICMR and scientists found that rise in cases was not linked to any mutation. “Governemnt has sent its team of experts there (affected states). Our Cabinet Secretary and Health Secretary have spoken to chief secretaries and officers. Centre is in touch with all states.” ANI quotes him as saying.

14:46 (IST)

No deaths due to COVID-19 vaccination, claims Harsh Vardhan

Union health Harsh Vardhan said there have been no deaths due to COVID-19 vaccinations so far and claimed that hospitalizations due to vaccination were negligible. “The side effects are minimal like swelling or fever. This sometimes happens during normal vaccination too,” he told news agency ANI.

“If someone dies four days or 10 days after inoculation, you can’t link it to vaccination. Every death has been scientifically investigated. High powered experts committee evaluate it, no case has come yet that death is vaccine-induced,” the Union health minister said.

14:25 (IST)

PM has given clear message to country, says Harsh Vardhan

Union Health minister Harsh Vardhan, lauding prime minister Narendra Modi for taking the first dose of Covaxin on Monday, said the prime minister has given a clear message to the country. Vardhan “He took COVAXIN, against which a lot of misinformation was spread even when it was scientifically perfect”,news agency ANI quotes him as saying. Vardhan reiterated that the indegenously made vaccine, along with SII’s Covishield, was safe and immunogenic.

14:15 (IST)

Venkaiah Naidu takes first dose of vaccine in Chennai

Vice President Venkaiah Naidu said he took the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in Chennai. The Vice President said he will be taking the second dose after 28 days and appealed to eligible persons to participate in the inoculation drive.

14:00 (IST)

Nitish Kumar gets first dose of vaccine

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar received first dose of COVID-19 vaccine in Patna, reports news agency ANI. Earlier in the day, Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik and Prime Minister Narendra Modi also got inoculated as the second phase of India’s vaccination drive got underway.

13:54 (IST)

Second phase of vaccination gets underway in Delhi

The second phase of the COVID-19 vaccination drive began on Monday in the National Capital as elderly people received their first shots of the vaccine, officials said. “A total of 15 senior citizens have been given vaccine shots at our centre till late morning, many of them came supported with a walking stick. It is heartening to see elderly people getting vaccinated as they are a vulnerable population,” a senior official of the Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality (RGSS) Hospital said. The official said the drive was to start around 12 noon but many elderly people had started queuing up by 10:30 am only, so it was started a bit early than the scheduled time. Nine persons also received their second shots till late morning, the official said.
 
PTI

13:47 (IST)

Modi taking jab will remove hesitancy, says AIIMS chief

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s move to take the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine on the very first day of India opening up the inoculation drive for senior citizens and those aged 45 and above with comorbidities should eliminate any hesitancy from the minds of people about the vaccine, said AIIMS chief Dr Randeep Guleria. “The prime minister taking the jab on the very first day would instill confidence among public and remove any hesitancy and doubts that they might have about the vaccine. People should come forward to get themselves inoculated and get India rid of the disease,” he said.
.
 Modi received the indigenously developed Covaxin jab by Bharat Biotech on Monday morning. The AIIMS director said that Modi took the shot at around 6.30 am after which he was kept under observation for half-and-hour as per protocol, after which he left. “He is fine after taking the vaccine,” Guleria said.

13:42 (IST)

Inspired and humbled by PM’s commitment, says Bharat Biotech

13:21 (IST)

Bihar government to provide free vaccines at private hospitals

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said the COVID-19 vaccine will be made available for free, even in the private hospitals of the state.

“Vaccination will be absolutely free in the entire Bihar state. This will be made available even at private hospitals. It will be facilitated by the state government,” said Nitish.

The Bihar cabinet had approved a proposal in December to provide free vaccines when they are available.

13:17 (IST)

Give vaccine to youngsters, says Congress’ Mallikarjun Kharge

Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, when asked if he would take the COVID019 vaccine said youngsters should be given the vaccine first. “I am above 70 years of age. The vaccine should be given to those who have a longevity in life as opposed to me. I merely have 10-15 more years to live,” he added.

13:08 (IST)

How does Covishield work?

The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is being manufactured locally by the Serum Institute of India.

The vaccine, which is known as Covishield, is made from a weakened version of a common cold virus (known as an adenovirus) from chimpanzees. It has been modified to look more like coronavirus – although it can’t cause illness.

When the vaccine is injected into a patient, it prompts the immune system to start making antibodies and primes it to attack any coronavirus infection.

The jab is administered in two doses given between four and 12 weeks apart.

13:05 (IST)

What about the possible side-effects from COVID-19 vaccine?

The common side effects in some individuals could be mild fever, pain, pain 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 masses.

12:39 (IST)

How does Bharat Biotech’s COVAXIN work?

The government-backed COVAXIN vaccine has been developed by Bharat Biotech.

It is an inactivated vaccine which means that it is made up of killed coronaviruses, making it safe to be injected into the body. Bharat Biotech used a sample of the coronavirus, isolated by India’s National Institute of Virology.

When administered, immune cells can still recognise the dead virus, prompting the immune system to make antibodies against the pandemic virus.

12:31 (IST)

Vaccine prices too low, difficult for companies to sustain: Kiran Mazumdar Shaw

Biocon chairperson Kiran Mazumdar Shaw on Sunday hit out at the government capping COVID-19 vaccine price at Rs 250 at private hospitals, saying vaccine companies “feel betrayed” as it is too low to sustain.

The Rs 250 ceiling per dose includes Rs 150 per dose of vaccine plus Rs 100 service charge.

12:26 (IST)

Technical glitch reported in Co-WIN portal at Nagpur hospital

The COVID-19 vaccination process at Nagpur’s Indira Gandhi Hospital couldn’t begin due to a technical glitch in the Co-WIN portal. “Registration has begun and tokens are being given. We will begin the process as soon as the site is up,” the hospital’s Medical Superintendent told ANI.

12:21 (IST)

Odisha CM administered COVID-19 vaccine

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik took the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at the Odisha Assembly Dispensary.

The state reported 34 active cases and one death in the last 24 hours

11:56 (IST)

Ravi Shankar Prasad lauds PM for ‘encouraging Indian entrepreneurs’

Coronavirus News LATEST News and Updates: The fight against the pandemic is not yet over, and as a responsible corporate citizen, we consider it our duty to support the government’s efforts to vaccinate all, the bank’s Chairman Dinesh Khara said in a release.

Bharat Biotech International CMD Krishna Ella in a statement expressed his sincere gratitude to the PM for reposing his trust in the indigenously developed COVID-19 vaccine, COVAXIN 

Reassuring that the Co-WIN portal is functioning without any issues, the Union Health Minister said that there are many people who can’t access or face difficulties in the booking. “All these systems will be streamlined within one week,” he said

RS Sharma, Head of the Empowered Panel on COVID-19 vaccinations, also clarified that the registration for the vaccine is taking place only through the Aarogya Setu app and Co-WIN portal – cowin.gov.in

Union Home Minister Amit Shah takes first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, reports news agency PTI quoting officials. According to ANI, Shah was vaccinated by Medanta Hospital doctors.

The personal example set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in taking the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine would give a huge boost to the immunization campaign against the pandemic,said Hyderabad-based vaccine maker Bharat Biotech.

Protesting farmer leaders in the vulnerable age group Monday said they are not afraid of coronavirus and won’t take vaccine jabs, reports news agency PTI.

80-year-old Farmer leader Balbir Singh Rajewal, a senior member of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha which is spearheading the agitation, said he will not go to vaccination centres to receive the jabs. Another senior leader Joginder Singh Ugrahan (75) said the fear of contracting the disease is “not enough” to distract them from their fight.

Over one million citizens have registered themselves on the Co-WIN portal till 1 pm on Monday, said the Union Health Ministry.

Amid reports of glitches in the CoWIN system, the Centre earlier clarified that registration was to be done through the web portal and the app was only for administrators

“It is wrong,” said the health ministry clarifying on earlier reports that SC judges will be given their choice of vaccine. The ministry said that vaccination will happen through the CoWin system.

Family members of the judges will also receive the vaccine and retired SC judges and their family members also to be included in the vaccination drive tomorrow.

Maharashtra, Kerala, Punjab, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat have shown a surge in new COVID-19 cases, contributing to 87.25 percent of 15,510 fresh infections reported in a day, the Union Health Ministry said on Monday. Maharashtra alone accounts for 46.39 percent of India’s total active cases, followed by Kerala with 29.49 percent.

Meanwhile, in the second phase of the country’s vaccination drive, political leaders including Union minister Jitendra Singh, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and NCP chief Sharad Pawar received the first doses of the vaccine.

Union health Harsh Vardhan said there have been no deaths due to COVID-19 vaccinations so far and claimed that hospitalizations due to vaccination were negligible. “The side effects are minimal like swelling or fever. This sometimes happens during normal vaccination too,” he told news agency ANI.

Union Health minister Harsh Vardhan said by taking Covaxin, the prime minister has given a clear message to the country. Vardhan “He took COVAXIN, against which a lot of misinformation was spread even when it was scientifically perfect”, news agency ANI quotes him as saying.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s move to take the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine on the very first day of India opening up the inoculation drive for senior citizens and those aged 45 and above with comorbidities should eliminate any hesitancy from the minds of people about the vaccine, said AIIMS chief Dr Randeep Guleria.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said the COVID-19 vaccine will be made available for free, even in the private hospitals of the state.

The COVID-19 vaccination process at Nagpur’s Indira Gandhi Hospital couldn’t begin due to a technical glitch in the Co-WIN portal.

The next phase of the COVID-19 vaccination drive for people above 60 years and those aged 45 and above with comorbidities will begin from 1 March (tomorrow) and registration on the Co-WIN 2.0 portal will open at 9 am on Monday.

Citizens will be able to register and book an appointment for vaccination, anytime and anywhere, using the Co-WIN 2.0 portal or through other IT applications such as Arogya Setu.

Registration will open at 9 am on 1 March at www.cowin.gov.in, the ministry said.

All citizens that are aged, or will attain the age of 60 or more as of 1 January, 2022 are eligible to register, in addition to all such citizens that are aged, or will attain the age of 45 to 59 years as of 1 January, 2022, and have any of the specified 20 comorbidities.

This information was shared during the orientation workshop organised by the Union Health Ministry and the National Health Authority (NHA) for the 10,000 private hospitals under Ayushman Bharat PMJAY, more than 600 hospitals empanelled under CGHS and other private hospitals empanelled under State Government’s Health Insurance Schemes, on Co-WIN 2.0.

The health ministry also released a user manual for citizen registration and appointment for vaccination.

User manual for registration & appointment for vaccination by Manasi Chandu on Scribd

The modalities of the new features integrated into the Co-WIN 2.0 digital platform were explained to them.

The private empanelled COVID-19 Vaccination Centres (CVCs) were also trained on various aspects of the process of vaccination and management of adverse events following immunization (AEFI) through video conference with the support of the National Health Authority (NHA).

“There will be only one live appointment for a beneficiary at any point of time for each dose.

“Appointments for any date for a COVID Vaccination Center will be closed at 3 pm on that day for which the slots were opened,” the ministry said.

For example, for 1 March the slots will be open from 9 am till 3 pm and the appointments can be booked anytime before that, subject to availability.

However, on 1 March, an appointment can also be booked for any future date for which vaccination slots are available. A slot for the second dose will also be booked at the same COVID Vaccination Centre on the 29th day of the date of appointment of the 1st dose.

If a beneficiary cancels a first dose appointment, then the appointment of both doses will be cancelled, the ministry said.

According to the ministry, there will be a facility of on-site registration so that eligible beneficiaries can walk into identified vaccination centres, get themselves registered and inoculated.

The eligible persons will be able to register at the Co-WIN 2.0 portal through their mobile number, through a step by step process.

With one mobile number, a person can register as many as four beneficiaries. However, all those registered on one mobile number will have nothing in common except the mobile number, the ministry said.

The photo ID card number for each such beneficiary must be different. Either of the following photo identity documents can be used by citizens for availing of online registration — Aadhaar Card/Letter, Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC), passport, driving license, PAN Card, NPR Smart Card or Pension Document with the photograph.

A user guide for the citizen registration and appointment for vaccination has also been uploaded on the websites of the Union Ministry of Health and National Health Authority (NHA).

It was also explained that the central government shall procure all the vaccines and supply them free of cost to the states and UTs who in turn will disburse them further to the government and private COVID Vaccination Centres (CVCs), the ministry said.

It was re-iterated that all vaccines provided to beneficiaries at the government health facilities will be entirely free of cost, while private facilities cannot charge the beneficiary a sum above Rs 250 per person per dose (Rs 150 for vaccines and Rs 100 as operational charges).

Private hospitals will have to remit the cost of vaccine doses allotted to them in a designated account of the National Health Authority (NHA). The payment gateway for the same is being enabled by the NHA on their website, the ministry said.

The government of India has supplied two COVID-19 vaccines, Covishield and Covaxin, free of cost to the states and UTs to vaccinate healthcare workers (HCWs) and frontline workers (FLWs) and they will also be able to cover the next priority group i.e. 60 years plus age group and the age group of 45 to 59 years suffering from pre-specified co-morbidities.

The states have been requested to operationalise the linkages between the CVCs (both government and private empanelled facilities) with the nearest cold chain points for ensuring smooth vaccine delivery to (CVCs).

The ministry specified 20 co-morbidities within the 45-59 years age group including heart failure with hospital admission in past one year, moderate or severe valvular heart disease, coronary artery disease, CT/ MRI documented stroke, diabetes ( >10 years or with complications) and hypertension on treatment, end-stage kidney disease on haemodialysis, diagnosis of any solid cancer on or after 2000 or currently on any cancer therapy for which one will have to submit a medical certificate.

The ministry has shared the format of the simplified one-page certificate to be signed by any registered medical practitioner.

The certificate can either be uploaded on Co-WIN 2.0 by the beneficiary while self-registering or a hard copy can be carried by the beneficiary to the CVC, the ministry said.

With inputs from PTI

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