All you need to know about Phase 2 of COVID-19 vaccination

India is gearing up for the second phase of the COVID19 vaccination starting March 1 mdash when senior citizens over the age of 60 years and those over the age of 45 with comorbidities will get the vaccine Amid questions and doubts about the next leg in the massive exercise midday spoke to Dr Suneela Garg a member of the Lancet Commissionrsquos COVID19 India Taskforce and also an advisor to the Indian Council of Medical Research ICMRA frontline worker gets vaccinated at Nair hospitalrsquos vaccination centre on WednesdayAs the launch of the second phase of COVID vaccination approaches read on to get your questions answeredHow are citizens being identifiedcalledThose who fall in either of the two categories should first register on the CoWIN or Aarogya Setu app Then they will be contacted by SMS via the app If they are unable to register themselves then they can walk into medical centres mdash which is the approach mostly in rural areas mdash where they will be guided and helped by healthcare workers However it is always preferable to register beforehandI am over 45 years old and my parents are over 60 years old Will we get the same dateIn most such cases since families register on the same day there is a possibility of them being called on the same dateDo senior citizens and those over 45 years need to watch out for side effectsEverybody needs to keep an eye on side effects Those with comorbidities should tell their doctors a few days in advance that they are going for the shot If they notice anything abnormal they must report to the vaccinating officerWhere can I look up my nearest govtcivicprivate hospitalOne can find these lists in newspapers or visit the health ministryrsquos websiteDo I need to payYou will need to pay at private facilities Rs 300Rs 400 but not at government facilities that have been identified for Phase 2 distribution of the vaccineCan I choose between the two brands of vaccinesNo People cannot choose between the two vaccinesI donrsquot have a smartphone What do I doIf you do not have a smartphone you cannot register through the apps In that case you will need to approach a healthcare worker inform himher that you want to be vaccinated or opt to walkin to a government or private centre and have the vaccine administered The problem with walkin however is that you might face a rush of peopleI have only a landline at home What do I doYou may call the health ministry helpline numbers although this will not help you register yourself on the CoWIN appI am old and I live alone Will the govt provide transportationThis is something that has to be confirmed from the helpline number Transportation is not really an issue because these people can still call for a cab or an auto as they would do in any other normal situation We should treat the vaccination as any other normal event in our daily lifeHow do I prove my comorbidity Do I have to carry a doctorrsquos certificatenoteA certificate from a qualified medical practitioner MBBS must be carried to the facility stating the comorbidities clearly The same should be uploaded on the appWhat comorbidities qualify me for the shotDiabetes hypertension cardiovascular diseases stroke cancer neurological and chronic respiratory diseasesWill private hospital data also reflect on the CoWIN appYesWhich ID can I carry to the centreAny valid ID card with your photo on it such as your driverrsquos license or Aadhaar card or passport The ID card can also be issued by your companyI am over 45 years old and a cancer survivor Should I consult my oncologist before taking the jabPreferably yes you should consult your oncologist before taking the jab in case they have to stop your medication for a few days The oncologist can advise best on what to do