Registrations for the second phase of the vaccine drive against COVID were kicked off on March 1st. In this phase, citizens above 60 years of age and people above 45 years of age with comorbidities can register themselves for getting the vaccine.

According to the announcement made by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare,  Co-WIN website is the only place for registration for common citizens and the Co-WIN mobile application is only for administrators. 

Read more: Interview: When and how will Chennai get the COVID vaccine?

But what is the registration process like? Is there any provision for offline registration? What are the identity proofs to be taken along? We try to answer some of the most common questions doing the rounds among citizens.

How to register and what is the process?

Co-WIN is the official platform for the citizens of India to register for COVID-19 vaccination and schedule their vaccination slots at the nearest vaccination centres. Citizens have to sign up on the website, and they are not permitted to sign up for vaccination through the app. 

• Citizens can register by logging in to the Co-WIN site. The page will ask citizens to enter their mobile number click on the option, ‘Get OTP’. The website will then send a One Time Password (OTP) to your registered mobile number.

• Once the OTP is validated, the website will direct citizens to the registration page. Citizens should enter their personal details such as the photo identity proof they will produce (to be chosen from a given list), their date of birth as mentioned in the above proof and gender. Citizens aged above 45+ years of age should enter the comorbid conditions that make them eligible for vaccination in this phase and are mandated to carry a medical certificate at the time of vaccination.
• Once the details are entered, click on the “Register” button at the bottom right of the page.

• The system will show the “Account Details” after completing the registration process. One can add three more people linked with the same mobile number ( a maximum of four registrations for each mobile number) by clicking on the “Add More” button at the bottom right side of the webpage. Enter all the details of the individual to be included and then click on the Add button.
• After the registration process is completed, citizens can schedule their appointment by selecting the ‘Calendar’ icon to book the appointment or click on “schedule appointment.” 
• People can select the nearest vaccination centre. From the list, one can filter by entering their location — fill in your state, district, block and pin code. 
• On clicking the “Search” button, citizens can see the list of vaccination centres as per the search criteria. 
• Upon finding the vaccination centre of citizen’s choice, they can view the next available appointment slots and can see the date and time of the next available appointment.
• The appointment can be rescheduled at any later stage but before the vaccination appointment day. To reschedule the appointment, log into the “Citizen Registration” module with the registered mobile number and select “Reschedule.”

Read more: COVID vaccines: Citizens need better communication and information

Can offline registration be done?

Yes. Besides advance online registration, on-site walk-in registration can be done. Citizens can go to their nearest vaccination centre (Urban Community Health Centres (UCHCs) or private hospitals) with valid identity proof such as Aadhaar, Voter ID, driving license, PAN card, pension document with photographs, etc. for on-site registration.

People above 45 years of age with comorbidities should carry a letter stating the comorbid conditions and any medication taken for the same.

As of now, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) does not have any plans to organise special camps for super senior citizens (aged above 95) who are ailing and are bed ridden.

What care should be taken before getting vaccinated?

Citizens are suggested to consult their family doctors before getting vaccinated. Those on anti-coagulant drugs are generally advised to refrain from taking the tablets three days before taking the vaccine, on the day of getting the jab and one day later.

Read more: Get vaccinated, do not lower guard: What doctors are telling us

Where can you get vaccinated in Chennai?

Apart from free vaccination in state government facilities for any eligible person, the central government has permitted private hospitals to join the vaccination drive and 761 empanelled private hospitals in Tamil Nadu have expressed willingness to act as COVID vaccination centres. 

List of government vaccination centres

• Urban Community Health Centres (UCHCs) in Chennai. Here is the complete list. 
• Community Diseases Hospital (CDH) 
• Govt Kilpauk Medical College Hospital 
• Govt Royapettah Hospital 
• Chennai Omandurar Multispeciality Hospital  
• Chennai Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital 
• Chennai Stanley Medical College Hospital

List of private vaccination centres

How much should private hospitals charge for vaccination?

The Government of India has permitted private hospitals to recover Rs 150 per person per dose as cost of the vaccine. Private hospitals acting as COVID vaccination centres would be additionally permitted to recover a service charge subject to a ceiling of Rs 100 per person per dose. Hence a total amount up to a ceiling of Rs 250 per person per dose can be charged by the private hospitals.

Also read:

• Chennai’s vaccine volunteer hopes for swift end to the pandemic
• “Vaccines will help those who get it, as well as those who can’t”

(Inputs from Tamil Nadu Health and Family Welfare Department)