Cowin Re-registration Is Not Needed For Booster Dose

The three priority groups include healthcare workers, frontline workers and the population over 60 years of age with comorbidities who are eligible to receive a third “precautionary dose” 39 weeks after receiving the second vaccine, can be vaccinated online or at any vaccination centre, the source said Friday from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. “The CoWIN registration does not need to be re-done. If you have administered two doses of Covid vaccine, you can make an appointment in person or go to any vaccination centre,” according to a source with the ministry.

“The online appointment booking function will start tomorrow night (Saturday). This source added. Earlier this week, the government said the “precautionary” dose would be the same as the first two. The Ministry of Health said that people over 60 years old are not required to provide a prescription or medical certificate to prove comorbidities when vaccinated. On December 25, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the third dose of all three types from January 10 and vaccination for children aged 1518  from January 3.

Stepping up the fight against Covid- 19 and its variants, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a televised address to the nation, declared that the “precautionary medicine” for frontline workers and those infected comorbidities over 60 years old, will be applied from January 10, 2022.  Now, in an update on the same, the central government has announced that the same vaccine will be administered as a single dose. third of the booster vaccines and no mix and match will be authorized from now on. However, member Niti Aayog (medical) and  Covid- 19 task force leader Dr VK Paul said in a press conference that no problems were mixing the vaccines.

 “As more and more data are received on different approaches to vaccine delivery, decisions will be made in the future,” the centre said. According to a study published by The Lancet in May 2021, the differentiated strategy is supposed to “minimize shocks or supply shortages that could slow vaccine deployment”. such as healthcare workers who have been vaccinated with Covishield will receive a third dose of the same vaccine, while those who have been vaccinated with Covax will receive one dose of this vaccine.

You can only take the same dose as your first and second injections (cowin.gov.in) when using the Cowin platform.

 Those vaccines so far approved – ZyCovD from Zydus Cadila, Corbevax from Biological E, and Covovax from the Serum Institute of India – will no longer be included in the third dose schedule moving forward.

According to Dr Shuchin Bajaj, Founding Director, Ujala Cygnus Hospital Group, this is to “simplify” the process. “We believe that in the next phase, starting in March, we will see other vaccines also authorized as a booster dose. Right now, taking a different dose will only create confusion,” said Dr According to Dr Sulaiman Ladhani, Consultant Thoracic, Thoracic and Tuberculologist, Masina Hospital, Byculla, Mumbai, the same vaccine is generally preferred as it has been found to have neuro-stimulating effects better and produces a good antibody response if given after a certain time. of time, in this case, 912 months. 

“Mixing is also possible, but here we have limited options in terms of vaccine delivery. So the government decided to go ahead with the same vaccine as we don’t have enough solid scientific data on vaccines available here to allow mixing and matching, unlike in other countries. Other countries allow the mixing of vaccines. In other countries, you are allowed to mix vaccines, because a booster dose of another vaccine can be given,” Dr Ladhani said.

In a previous interview, Dr Vikas Maurya, head of the department and director of vascular technology at Fortis hospital, Shalimar Bagh, said: “Researchers are studying the effects of vaccine mixing. More research is needed to understand whether this will enhance the immune response or decrease it. So far what we can say is that Covaxin should only be given after a booster dose of Covaxin; the same goes for Covishield.

 But what if someone took different vaccines as the first and second dose?

The practice is not permitted in India, according to Dr Bajaj. “On the Cowin platform, there is no confusion about what the third injection will be since you are only permitted to take the same dose you took for the first and second injections,” he said and also he declared that 61 per cent of the adult population of India has been receiving both doses, while 90 per cent has received the first dose, according to Prime Minister Modi. The third dose or booster will be given 912 months after the second dose.

“We expect that India will continue to recommend the 912-month interval because we want to administer another dose to a large number of people in the country since only 61% have already received the second dose. Thus, automatically there is a large gap needed to cover the entire adult population. We also need to vaccinate children 15-18 years old. So now this period is needed,” explains Dr Bajaj.

What are the benefits of the third vaccine or booster dose?

According to studies, around nine months,  immunity begins to wane, and protective effects and antibody levels begin to wane, Dr Ladhani explains. “For this reason, a protective dose is necessary for vulnerable populations such as the elderly, those with co-morbid conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or cancer, and healthcare workers who are particularly vulnerable and high. The advantage of the preventive dose is that, as antibody levels decrease, the preventive dose induces a stronger antibody response that will at least protect against serious infections,” said Dr Ladhani.

 The last round of vaccination took place at a time when the whole country was experiencing a peak of 19 cases of Covid. 61 per cent of the adult population of India has been receiving both doses, while 90 per cent has received the first dose, according to Prime Minister Modi. Meanwhile, the Indian Ministry of Health has vaccination coverage above 150 cases. crore dose on Friday.

 “A historic milestone has been achieved: India’s vaccine coverage rate against Covid19 has exceeded 150 crores (1,50,52,21,314). More than 81 lakh (81 50 982) doses of the vaccine have been administered until 7:00 pm today. According to the ministry, “with the compilation of the final reports for late-night and day, we expect to increase the number of daily vaccinations.”.

 “A remarkable day on the vaccination front! Congratulations to our compatriots who have passed the 150 crore mark. Our vaccination campaign has saved many lives. At the same time, let’s also continue to monitor the entire protocol regarding Covid19,” Modi tweeted. 

“India’s vaccination campaign would not have been a success without the contributions of everyone involved. We thank the doctors, scientists, innovators and health workers who immunized the population. Vaccinations are highly recommended for all eligible individuals. Together, let’s fight Covid19,” he tweeted.

edited and proofread by nikita harma