Precaution Vaccine dose: How to register on Cowin for booster dose for healthline workers, senior citizens

Senior citizens above 60 years of age, front line and health care workers are now eligible for a ‘precaution dose’ or a booster dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. From Jan 10, 2022, the Indian government has announced that the COVID 19 booster dose or precautionary dose will be given to those who are registered as frontline workers such as healthcare workers, nurses, doctors, etc. as well as Indian citizens above 60 years of age with comorbidities. The government has announced that people can register on the app to get the ‘precautionary dose,’ and even walk-ins are allowed. Booster dose registration on Cowin site helps you in getting a fixed slot for the covid 19 vaccine booster dose.

Who is eligible for the precautionary vaccine dose?

• COWIN website states that you are eligible for a precautionary dose if you are registered as a Health Care Worker (HWC) or a Front-Line Worker (FLW) or as a citizen aged 60 years or more.
• Further, to get the third vaccination shot, the first 2 vaccine doses should be done at least 39 weeks ago. You have to be fully vaccinated with 2 shots done 9 months ago as per the vaccination details recorded on the COWIN website.
• Senior citizens aged 60 years or more who have received both the jabs previously and have co-morbidities should take the precaution dose, only after medical advice.
• If you have taken covishield first 2 doses, then you are eligible to take Covishield only. Same for Covaxin medicine. Mix and match of vaccines are not allowed.
• Vaccination is free in all government hospitals and civil dispensaries.

How important is the Covid 19 vaccine booster dose?

The third booster dose in India is called the Precautionary dose. The government has announced the third booster dose due to the rapid increase in the number of covid cases globally. It is a precautionary dose to safeguard against the third wave.