Steps

 n a bid to finally get rid of the menace of COVID-19 disease, central and state governments in India are all geared up to begin the cross-nation vaccination drive, probably the most pervasive one in the history of Indian healthcare.

With the vaccination drive set to begin on January 13, 2021, people in India are still puzzled about the procedure they have to follow to get the much-awaited vaccine shot.

Well, worry no more, as the government has released an eight-step guide for the distribution of the life-saving shots. 

What are the steps to get the vaccine?

Step 1 – Registration: Every person who is willing to get the vaccine is supposed to register himself/herself on the Co-WIN system using a photo identity proof. It is worth mentioning that Co-WIN is an app prepared by the central government to maintain flawless data, and execute the vaccination drive transparently.

Step 2 – Vaccination details: Once the registration is complete, the beneficiary will receive SMS on his/her registered cellphone number.

1. The first SMS will confirm the registration of the beneficiary
2. The second SMS will consist of the date, time, and place where the particular beneficiary will get his/her vaccination
3. The third SMS will be generated after the beneficiary will receive the first dose of the vaccine. It will confirm the due date of the next dose
4. The fourth SMS will confirm completion of the second dose along with a link for a digital certificate

Step 3 – Vaccination Officer No 1 (VO-1): The government has appointed a few Vaccination Officers to help the beneficiaries go through the vaccination process with ease at the site. The VO-1 will pre-check the registration and photo ID proof of the beneficiary, and also assist in managing the queues and crowd at the site. These officers are originally policemen, home guards, civil defense personnel, NCC, NSS or NYK members. 

Step 4 – Verification Officer No 2 (VO-2): The VO-2 will cross verify and authenticate the beneficiaries’ documents on Co-WIN.

Step 5 – Vaccination Officer No 3 (VO-3): This officer will be a healthcare practitioner who will administer the vaccine to the beneficiary.

Step 6 – Waiting time: Once the vaccine is administered, the beneficiary will be asked to wait in the “observation area” for 30 minutes to keep a check on any kind of minor to major side-effects.

Step 7 – Monitoring of observation area: The government has appointed Vaccination Officer No 4 and 5 to ensure 30 minute wait time for every beneficiary. They will also guide the non-registered beneficiaries at the site.

Step 8 – Second dose: As specified in the SMS received after the first dose of vaccine, the beneficiaries will have to come for the second dose on the due date to complete their shield against COVID-19.