Increasing public pressure on the government on account of non-availability of Covid-19 vaccines at many places prompted Prime Minister Modi on Monday to "liberalise" the Central control over the inoculation drive.
This ‘loosening up’ began with a declaration to vaccinate all above 18 from May 1 and allowing the manufacturers to sell half of the vaccines directly to the state governments and in the open market at a pre-declared price.
A Health Ministry announcement said the states are also empowered to procure additional vaccine doses directly from the manufacturers and open up the vaccination to anybody above the age of 18. It said the Centre's free vaccination drive will continue for essential and priority population as also those above 45 years.
All stakeholders get flexibility to customise the local needs in the third phase of vaccination, covering aspects like pricing, procurement, eligibility and administration of the vaccines, the ministry said.
Registration will open on www.cowin.gov.in. Citizens will be able to register and book an appointment for vaccination, anytime and anywhere, using the COWIN 2.0 portal or through other IT applications such as Arogya Setu etc.
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 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–
Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC)
Passport
Driving License
PAN Card
NPR Smart Card
Pension Document with photograph
Aadhar Card/Letter
A User Guide for the Citizen Registration & Appointment for Vaccination has also been uploaded on the websites of Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and National Health Authority (NHA).
A list of all these private hospitals has been uploaded on the website of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the National Health Authority.
