COVID-19 Booster Dose: Prescription Not Required To Establish Comorbidity In 60+ People

The Health Ministry clarified the requirement of doctor's prescription for senior citizens to get the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The ministry said that the COVID-19 precaution dose for senior citizens will not require producing certificates of comorbidity at the time of registration. The statement was issued on Tuesday during a video conference workshop held for vaccination rollout.

The video conference was chaired by Rajesh Bhushan, Union Health Secretary, where he was discussing the schedule of vaccinations with the states and union territories. They were reviewing the vaccination plan for 15-18 age group and the precautionary third dose for vulnerable groups. Vulnerable groups include frontline workers, healthcare workers and senior citizens with co-morbidity.

COVID Precaution Dose For Senior Citizens, No Prescription Required

The Union Health Secretary cleared the air of misconception around the doctor's prescription requirements for third dose. He stated that the government has not issued any mandatory advisory regarding the requirement of doctor's certificate for registering for Covid precaution dose for senior citizen with co-morbidities.

Suggested Reading: Here's How Children In The 15-18 years Age Group Can Register For Covid-19 Vaccines

The vaccination for the age group 15-18 will commence from January 3 and for vulnerable group, it will commence from January 10. The preparations are going on as the date approaches. The government has issued advisory to States and Union Territories that only Covaxin will be administered to children.

The vaccination slots can be booked by registering on Co-Win portal or by walk-in to vaccination centers. The registration on portal begins on January 1. The States were informed to designate some vaccination centers primarily for 15-18 age group for the ease of process. The vaccination will begin for people with date year 2007 and before.

The advisory regarding the protocols and rules to be followed at the vaccination center states that the beneficiaries have to wait half an hour after the vaccination to monitor if they get any adverse effects. The age group 15-18 will be eligible for second dose after 28 days of the first dose. The vaccination date for various beneficiaries of vulnerable groups will depend on the date of their second dose of vaccine.