Covid vaccination is voluntary, says govt ‘Even Those Recovered Advised To Get Inoculated’

PREPARING FOR THE VACCINE

Covid vaccination is voluntary, says govt

‘Even Those Recovered Advised To Get Inoculated’

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:19.12.2020

Even those who have recovered from Covid-19 are advised to receive the complete schedule of Covid vaccine irrespective of their past history of infection, the health ministry said and emphasised that this would help in developing a strong immune response against the disease.

While the Centre is working with state governments to identify people under different categories who will receive the vaccine in the first phase, beneficiaries will have to mandatorily register themselves with a photo ID for the vaccination. Once registered, they will receive information about the session and site to visit on their registered mobile number.

But those with confirmed or suspected Covid-19 infection will be asked to defer vaccination for 14 days after symptoms resolution as they may increase the risk of spreading the disease to others at the vaccination site. Getting vaccinated for Covid-19 will be voluntary, the ministry said, adding the vaccine introduced in India will be as effective as any developed by other countries.

“ It is advisable to receive the complete schedule of the vaccine for protecting oneself against this disease and also to limit the spread to close contacts including family members, friends, relatives and co-workers,” the ministry said while listing out a series of frequently asked questions on Covid-19 vaccine. To complete the vaccination schedule, an individual will be required to take two doses of the vaccine 28 days apart. While the regulator is examining three applications for emergency use authorisation, the government said it is geared to launch a vaccine soon.

Six vaccines are in different stages of clinical trials in India. On which vaccine is likely to be more effective, the health ministry said all the vaccines that receive licence will have comparable safety and efficacy.

Full report on www.toi.in

Covid-hit Rlys lost 70% of revenue

The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the Indian railways in more than one way in the past nine months. While it’s staring at barely Rs 15,000 crore revenue from the passenger segment, which is barely 30% of what it earned during 2019-20, at least 30,000 of its employees were infected by the virus.

Railway Board chief executive officer and Chairman V K Yadav also said that there had been some unfortunate death of railway employees due to the pandemic. TNN