Prime Minister Narendra Modi took his first dose of the COVID-19  vaccine today,  at AIIMS New Delhi. In a tweet, the Prime Minister said, "Took my first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at AIIMS. Remarkable how our doctors and scientists have worked in quick time to strengthen the global fight against COVID-19. I appeal to all those who are eligible to take the vaccine. Together, let us make India COVID-19 free!"

Registration for next phase of COVID19 Vaccination on Co-WIN2.0 portal opened today at 9:00 am.  According to Union Health Ministry, over 10,000 private hospitals empanelled under Ayushman Bharat PMJAY, more than 600 hospitals under CGHS and other private hospitals empanelled under State Schemes can function as COVID Vaccination Centres.  Citizens will be able to register and book and appointment for vaccination, anytime and anywhere, using the COWIN 2.0 portal or through other IT applications such as Arogya Setu etc.

The private empanelled COVID Vaccination Centers (CVCs) were also trained on various aspects of the process of vaccination and management of adverse events following immunization (AEFI) through video conference with the support of the National Health Authority (NHA).

All citizens that are aged, or will attain the age of, 60 years or more as on 1st January 2022 are eligible to register, in addition to all such citizens that are aged, or will attain the age of, 45 years to 59 years as on 1st January 2022, and have any of the specified 20 comorbidities (as annexed).

The Ministry explained that there will be only one live appointment for a beneficiary at any point of time for each dose. Appointments for any date for a COVID Vaccination Center will be closed at 3:00 pm on that day for which the slots were opened.  For example, for 1st March the slots will be open from 9:00 am till 3:00 pm on 1st March, and the appointments can be booked anytime before that, subject to availability. However, on 1st March an appointment can also be booked for any future date for which vaccination slots are available. A slot for second dose will also be booked at the same COVID Vaccination Center on 29th day of the date of appointment of the 1st dose. If a beneficiary cancels a first dose appointment, then appointment of both doses will be cancelled.

The eligible persons will be able to register at the Co-WIN2.0 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. Aadhar Card/Letter, Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC), Passport, Driving License, PAN Card, NPR Smart Card, Pension Document with photograph can be used as Photo Identity by citizens for availing of online registration. 

The Ministry also emphasised that all vaccines provided to beneficiaries at the Government Health Facilities will be entirely free of cost, while Private Facilities cannot charge the beneficiary a sum above Rs. 250 per person per dose (Rs 150/- for vaccines and Rs 100/- as operational charges). Private Hospitals are to remit the cost of vaccine doses allotted to them in a designated account of National Health Authority (NHA). Payment gateway for the same is being enabled by NHA on their website.

List of Specified Comorbidities for determination of eligibility of citizens in age group 45 to 59 years include Heart Failure with hospital admission in past one year,  Post Cardiac Transplant/Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD), Significant Left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVEF <40%), Moderate or Severe Valvular Heart Disease, Congenital heart disease with severe PAH or Idiopathic PAH. Coronary Artery Disease with past CABG/PTCA/MI,  Hypertension/Diabetes on treatment, Angina, hypertension/Diabetes on treatment,  CT/MRI documented stroke,  Hypertension/Diabetes on treatment,  Pulmonary artery hypertension,  Diabetes (> 10 years OR with complications), Kidney/ Liver/ Hematopoietic stem cell transplant: Recipient/On wait-list,  End Stage Kidney Disease on haemodialysis/ CAPD, Current prolonged use of oral corticosteroids/ immunosuppressant medications, Cirrhosis,  Severe respiratory disease, Lymphoma/ Leukaemia/ Myeloma, Diagnosis of any solid cancer on or after 1st July 2020 OR currently on any cancer therapy,  Sickle Cell Disease/ Bone marrow failure/ Aplastic Anemia/ Thalassemia Major,  Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases/ HIV infection and persons with disabilities due to Intellectual disabilities/ Muscular Dystrophy/ Acid attack with involvement of respiratory system/ Persons with disabilities having high support needs/ Multiple disabilities including deaf-blindness.