Covid-19 : Registration process & Vaccination Centres list

The registration for COVID-19 vaccination has already begun from April 28. Registration can be done through CoWin portal, Aarogya Setu app and Umang app. 

Vaccination registration using CoWin portal

Step 1. Visit CoWIN website, https://www.cowin.gov.in/home  and click on Register/Sign in yourself.

Step 2. Add your mobile number. Click on ‘Get OTP’. After getting OTP on your mobile, type the digits on the site, and then, click ‘Verify’.

Step 3. Enter all your details, name, gender, year of birth including photo ID proof on the ‘Register for Vaccination’ page. Once this is done, click on ‘Register’.

Step 4. After you ‘Register’, you will get the option to schedule your appointment. Click on ‘Schedule’ next to your name or the name of the person registered.

Step 5. Add your pin code and click ‘Search’. Authorized centres in the added pin code will appear.

Step 6. Select date and time and click on ‘Confirm’.

Note: Users can add up to 4 members through one login and can reschedule an appointment easily.

Vaccination registration using Aarogya Setu app

Step 1. Download Aarogya Setu app in your mobile and open it. Click on the CoWIN tab on the home screen.

Step 2. Select ‘Vaccination Registration’ and enter your phone number. You will receive an OTP. Enter OTP and proceed to verify yourself.

Step 3. On ‘Register for Vaccination’ page, enter all details like name, gender, year of birth, including photo ID proof and then Click on ‘Register’.

Step 4. After you register, you will get the option to schedule appointment. Click on ‘Schedule’ next to your name or the name of the person registered.

Step 5. Add your pin code and click ‘Search’. Authorised centres in the added pin code will appear.

Step 6. Select date and time and then click on ‘Confirm’.

Vaccination registration on Umang app 

Step 1. Open UMANG app and tap on the Health tab. Select the ‘CoWIN‘ option. 

Step 2. Tap on ‘Register’ or ‘Login For Vaccination’ option. 

Step 3. Enter your mobile number and click on Submit

Step 4. Enter the OTP received on your mobile and click ‘Verify OTP’. 

Step 5: Fill in details like name, gender, year of birth, including photo ID proof and then Click on ‘Register’ . 

Step 7: Following this, you will get a pop-up stating beneficiary added, tap on ok. Note: you can add up to four beneficiaries by tapping the ‘Add More’ button

Step 8. After adding beneficiaries, select all beneficiaries and click on the ‘Schedule Appointment’ option.

Step 9: Search your pin code and select date and vaccine.

Step 10: You will now get a list of authorized inoculation centres 

Step 11: Tap on view time slots option on your preferred centre.

Step 12: Select time slot and tap confirm.

Currently, two vaccines, Covaxin (developed by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech) and Covishield (developed by Oxford-AstraZeneca and manufactured by Serum Institute of India) are being administered in India. 

Russian vaccine, Sputnik V will also be administered soon. Sputnik V was developed in Russia which is imported and sold in India by Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories – has also been approved by the Indian drug regulator 

COVID-19 vaccines are approved by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) only after proven safety and efficacy. While COVID-19 vaccines have some side effects like:

1. Mild fever
2. Swelling
3. Headache
4. Nausea and dizziness
5. Pain and discomfort

However, you may need immediate medical attention in case of severe side effects which include severe allergic reactions, any uncommon infection, seizures or any unexpected side effects. If you experience any of these symptoms, you must immediately report to your doctor so he/she can act on it at the earliest .  

Overall, COVID-19 vaccines are safe, and any severe side effects are rare, so it is safe to get vaccinated and protect yourself from the coronavirus.

Those with a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to any component of COVID-19 vaccine should NOT get vaccinated.

Those with a severe allergic reaction to any injectable (intramuscular or intravenous) medication or any vaccine should consult talk to their doctor to assess risk before receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

People with severe allergic reactions to latex, oral medications, foods, pets, insects including environmental triggers may get vaccinated.

However, all people with severe allergies need one-hour observation period post vaccination, while for all others 15 minutes observation is enough. Vaccine centres have safety protocols in place to respond to any adverse reactions.   

Yes! You can choose the COVID vaccine of your choice at private centres while making an appointment at a vaccination centre from May 1. All private vaccination centres were directed by the health ministry to declare which COVID vaccine will be on offer, availability of stocks, and the price they will charge on the CoWIN platform. 

However, the choice of vaccines will be applicable only at private vaccination centres, where people will have to pay for COVID vaccine jabs.

The answer depends on which state you live. Some states, as a policy, have said they will provide free vaccines. States like Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Assam and Kerala have announced that they will be giving COVID vaccines free of cost to all adults in their states.

However, Apollo Hospitals has begun vaccination for those between 18-44 years of age from May 1, 2021. Those who have registered on the CoWin app and have appointment with Apollo Hospitals can get vaccinated by paying Rs 850 for Covishield or Rs 1,200 for Covaxin

Currently, COVID-19 vaccines consist of two doses for Covishield, Covaxin and Sputnik V vaccines that have been approved for usage in India. 

Both of these doses perform slightly different functions. While the first, called the ‘prime dose’, prepares our immune system to build antibodies, the second dose, known as the ‘booster dose’, boosts the immune system’s production of a large number of antibodies and also stimulates the memory cells, so that your body remembers this infection and continues to create antibodies against it for a long time.

No! Vaccines available are not interchangeable, it is important to receive the second dose of same vaccine as the first one. The COWIN app is also going to help to ensure that everyone receives the same vaccine

Currently, Covishield and Covaxin are being administered in India. The ideal duration between the two doses depends on the type of vaccine.

According to the current government protocol, the second dose of the vaccine must be administered in 28 days after the first dose. However, new research on Covishield suggests that the booster dose might be more effective if the gap between the two doses is between 6-12 weeks.

The DNA-based AstraZeneca vaccine was found effective with a duration of 12 weeks between two shots. However, consult your doctor to understand the ideal duration between the two vaccines

Please note, the Covishield and Covaxin vaccines cannot be interchanged with each other or other COVID-19 vaccine products. The CDC guidelines recommend receiving the same type of COVID-19 vaccine for the first and second dose increases vaccine efficacy.

1. Register yourself for COVID-19 vaccination on Co-WIN portal Aarogya Setu app, or Umang app.
2. If you are taking drugs for any underlying health conditions, consult your doctor on whether you should delay or discontinue your medication around the time of jab.
3. If you are feeling unwell just before vaccination, consult your doctor on whether you can get vaccinated or not.
4. Stay hydrated and get a good night’s sleep and before your vaccination appointment.

You should first register via CoWin website, Aarogya Setu app or Umang app and provide registration acknowledgement at the vaccination centre. You need to bring some photo identification proof card, like Aadhar card as well. Following this, you will be administered with the COVID vaccine shot. As the vaccines is administered through an intramuscular route, a small area on your arm will first be sterilized with a solution, and then the vaccine dose is injected through a syringe.

You will receive the vaccination card or a printout which will have the information about your vaccination date, place of vaccination and whether you’ve received the COVID-19 vaccine shot 1 or 2. You may also get an electronic receipt (mostly an SMS). You will be informed of the scheduled date of the next vaccine dose. 

After providing you with the vaccine, you will be monitored for a minimum of 30 minutes to check for any side-effects of the vaccine on your body. Side-effects may include allergic reactions as your body might react to the vaccine ingredients.

The following precautions are compulsory during your appointment for vaccination:

Follow all the hand hygiene recommendations and:

• Cover your mouth and nose with a mask
• Stay at least six feet away from others
• Follow all respiratory hygiene/cough etiquettes

Once you are vaccinated, you are taken into an observation room at the vaccinated centre where your general parameters are monitored for about 30 minutes for any possible adverse event following immunization. You are allowed to leave the vaccination centre once no adverse event is seen.

• Avoid Alcohol Consumption: While there is very limited data on alcohol consumption and COVID-19 vaccination, experts say that if at all you choose to drink alcohol, consume responsibly. 
• Vaccine Side Effects: Use over-the-counter paracetamol or pain relievers, if you have temperature, or if you are feeling pain or soreness in your arm.

However, do consult your doctor if you continue to show symptoms.

Yes, we all need to continue wearing mask, especially in public settings even after vaccination.  Getting vaccinated does not mean that we can go back to a normal life immediately. Till we achieve a degree of herd immunity, the vaccinations are now just another layer of protection against the COVID-19 pandemic. And, in order to reach herd immunity, about 50 to 80 per cent of the population will have to be vaccinated.

You will not reach maximal efficacy for at least two weeks after your second vaccine dose and your immunity may continue to increase after that. However, this is an area that is undergoing active research now.  While you do get partial immune response following the first dose, it does not mean you are immediately protected the minute you take the jab.

Another significant reason to continue wearing a mask is that we still have to protect those with compromised immune system (with chronic medical conditions like heart disease and cancer) and those individuals who cannot be vaccinated (those who have had an allergic reaction to the first dose, some high risk pregnant women, etc.).

As per the recent updated guidelines of the CDC (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention), a person fully vaccinated probably does not need quarantine if exposed to COVID-19.

The effectiveness of COVID vaccine in preventing hospitalization and disease severity is more after completing the vaccination program. The complete vaccination program involves two intramuscular injections at an interval of a minimum of 4 weeks and a maximum of up to 12 weeks. The complete effect for the vaccination will be two weeks after the last dose.

While the vaccines have proven to be extremely effective at preventing serious disease, research studies are not conclusive yet on how well these vaccines stop transmission of the virus. As the vaccination is not 100% efficacious, the terms of quarantine depends on local guidelines.

Therefore, experts advise people who have been fully vaccinated to still follow safety protocols like hand washing, wearing a mask, maintaining social distance, etc.

It is safe to travel two weeks after taking both the shots of COVID-19 Vaccine especially if you have checked your antibodies. However, vaccination does not mean you will necessarily escape the infection.

You may require proof of vaccination to travel, work in some industries or attend large events in the future.  Many countries already working on having a validation system in place. In addition, many private companies in the US are working on creating a digital passport that may include your vaccination status. 

Your vaccination record may also come in handy to confirm which vaccination you have received, and when you have received it, and also if a booster dose is required.  Therefore, keep your vaccination record handy.