Dayone of third phase of Covid vaccination is likely to see walk-in registrationsin huge numbers since the CoWIN portal is unlikely to be operational beforeMarch 1.
"Seniorcitizens and people above 45 with comorbidities will be allowed to selfregister via the portal or app only on Monday," informed an official fromUnion Health Ministry.
Thegovernment is upgrading the CoWIN which was being used in the initial twophases of the vaccination for immunisation of healthcare and frontline workers.
Vaccinationwill be provided free of charge at the government health facilities and will beon a payment basis in the private health facilities. All private hospitals cancharge Rs 150 for vaccines and Rs 100 for service charges fixed by the centralgovernment on Saturday.
Inthe case of self-registration, the CoWIN portal will provide the facility forbooking an appointment based on the vaccination centres declared by thestates/UTs, with their location, the dates on which appointment slots areprovided and the capacity declared as Open Slots and the vacancies available atthe time of booking.
However,such details pertaining to slots and availability of centres are yet to beworked out. A meeting of private hospitals with their state health secretariesis scheduled on Sunday 11 a.m. where they will be told the further modalities,the ministry official added.
Besides,all beneficiaries, regardless of the mode of access, i.e. through onlineregistration or mobilisation through on-site registration are advised to carrythe following for verification at the time of vaccination - Aadhaar Card;Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC); and Certificate of comorbidity forcitizens in the age group of 45 years to 59 years.
Anofficial will be present at the Vaccination Centre for verification ofemployment credentials and COVID duties for those who do walk in for on-siteregistration.
Theongoing vaccination drive will now reach around 27 crore people who are on thelist of priority for vaccination after healthcare and frontline workers.
Around10,000 hospitals empanelled under Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY and 687 hospitals underCGHS can be used by states as Covid Vaccination Centres (CVCs).
Statesare also given the freedom to use all Private Hospitals empanelled under StateGovernment Health Insurance Schemes as CVCs.