The COVID vaccine is voluntary, clarifies the government; Here are the answers to all questions related to vaccines


The Union Ministry of Health has clarified that vaccinated against COVID-19 it will be voluntary. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has answered a series of frequently asked questions (FAQ) about the coronavirus vaccine, including the time it takes for antibodies to develop and whether it is necessary for a person recovered from COVID to be vaccinated. The ministry said the vaccines will be introduced into the country only after regulatory bodies authorize them based on their safety and efficacy. He also said that it is advisable to receive a full COVID vaccine schedule regardless of the history of COVID-19 infection. Meanwhile, the number of active COVID-19 cases remained below four lakh for the twelfth consecutive day.

Here are the frequently asked questions (FAQ) about the Vaccine for COVID-19.

Q: Is a COVID vaccine scheduled in the short term?

A: Yes, vaccine trials are in different stages of completion. The government of India is ready to launch a vaccine against COVID 19 soon.

Q: Will the COVID 19 vaccine be given to everyone simultaneously?


A: Based on the potential vaccine availability, the Government of India has selected the priority groups that will be vaccinated with priority, as they are at higher risk. The first group includes frontline and healthcare workers. The second group to receive the COVID 19 vaccine will be people over the age of 50 and people under the age of 50 with comorbid illnesses.

Q: Is it mandatory to get vaccinated?

A: Vaccination against COVID-19 is voluntary. However, it is advisable to receive the full COVID-19 vaccine schedule to protect against this disease and also to limit the spread of this disease to close contacts, including family, friends, relatives, and co-workers.

Q: Will the vaccine be safe since it is being tested and introduced in a short period of time?

A: Vaccines will be introduced into the country only after regulatory agencies authorize it based on their safety and efficacy.

Q: Can a person who currently has COVID-19 infection (confirmed or suspected) be vaccinated?

A: A person with a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection may increase the risk of transmitting it to others at the vaccination site. For this reason, infected individuals should postpone vaccination for 14 days after resolution of symptoms.

Q: Is it necessary for a person recovered from COVID to be vaccinated?

A: Yes, it is advisable to receive a complete COVID vaccine schedule regardless of history of COVID-19 infection. This will help develop a strong immune response against the disease.

Q: Of the multiple vaccines available, how is one or more vaccines chosen for administration?

A: The safety and efficacy data of the clinical trials of candidate vaccines are reviewed by our country’s drug regulator before licensing them. Therefore, all licensed COVID-19 vaccines will have comparable safety and efficacy. However, it must be ensured that the entire vaccination program is completed with a single type of vaccine, as the different COVID-19 vaccines are not interchangeable.

Q: Does India have the capacity to store the COVID vaccine at a temperature of +2 to +8 degrees Celsius and transport it at the required temperature?


A: India has one of the largest immunization programs in the world, serving the vaccination needs of more than 26 million newborns and 29 million pregnant women. The mechanisms of the program are being strengthened / prepared to effectively serve the large and diverse population of the country.

Q: Will the vaccine introduced in India be as effective as those introduced in other countries?


Yes. The COVID 19 vaccine introduced in India will be as effective as any vaccine developed by other countries. Several phases of vaccine trials are carried out to ensure its safety and efficacy.

Q: How will I know if I am eligible for the vaccination?


A: In the initial phase, the COVID 19 vaccine will be provided to the priority group: healthcare and frontline workers. The age group 50 and over can also start early depending on the availability of the vaccine. Eligible beneficiaries will be informed through their registered mobile number about the Health Establishment where the vaccine will be administered and the scheduled time for it. This will be done to avoid any inconvenience in the registration and vaccination of the beneficiaries.

Q: Can a person get the COVID-19 vaccine without registering with the Department of Health?

A: No, registration of the beneficiary is mandatory for vaccination against COVID 19. Only after registration, the information about the place of the session to visit and the time will be shared with the beneficiary.

Q: What documents are required to register eligible beneficiaries?

A: Driver’s license, Health insurance smart card issued under the scheme of the Ministry of Labor, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural, Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), Work card, Official identity cards issued to MP / MLA / MLC, PAN card, Bank / post office issued savings book, passport, pension document, service identification card issued to employees by central / state government / public corporations and voter identification

Q: Will a photo / ID be required at check-in?

A: Photo ID produced at the time of registration must be presented and verified at the time of vaccination.

Q: If a person is unable to present a photo ID at the session site, is they vaccinated or not?


A: Photo identification is essential for both registration and verification of the beneficiary at the location of the session to ensure that the intended person is vaccinated.

Q: How will the beneficiary receive the information about the vaccination deadline?


A: After online registration, beneficiaries will receive an SMS on their registered mobile number on the due date, place and time of vaccination.

Q: Will vaccinated beneficiaries receive information on the status of their vaccination after completion?

So. Upon receiving the due dose of the COVID 19 vaccine, the beneficiary will receive an SMS on their registered mobile number. Once all doses of the vaccine have been administered, a certificate based on a QR code will also be sent to the recipient’s registered mobile number.

Q: If one is taking medicine for diseases like cancer, diabetes, hypertension, etc., can one receive the COVID19 vaccine?

So. People with one or more of these comorbid conditions are considered a high-risk category. They need to receive the COVID -19 vaccine.

Q: What about the possible side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine?


A: The COVID vaccine will be introduced only when its safety is proven. As with other vaccines, common side effects in some people can be mild fever, pain, etc. at the injection site. States have been asked to begin making arrangements to deal with the side effects related to the Covid-19 vaccine as one of the measures for the safe delivery of the vaccine to the masses.

Q: How many doses of the vaccine should I take and at what interval?


A: A person must take two doses of the vaccine, 28 days apart, to complete the vaccination schedule.

Q: When will the antibodies develop? After taking the first dose, after taking a second dose, or much later?

A: Protective antibody levels generally develop two weeks after receiving the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

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