Seniors will not be required to provide any proof for the third Covid dose, but...: Center on Booster Shot for 60+

Senior citizens will not be required to show a medical certificate, prescription, or proof of their frail state while taking the Covid-19 third dose, but they should only take the "precautionary dose" if medically advised.

According to a letter delivered to states and union territories by health secretary Rajesh Bhushan, persons who are 60 years old or older, have comorbidities, and have had two doses of Covid-19 vaccination would be given the "precautionary dose" on the doctor's advise starting January 10, 2022.

"All persons aged 60 years and above with co-morbidities will not be required to produce/submit any certificate from a doctor, at the time of administration of precaution dose," the letter read.

It further stated that those individuals should seek medical advice before taking the third dose.

Previously, the government considered requiring a doctor's prescription or certificate, but this would have made the process more difficult for the elderly in terms of mobility and cost.

The third dose will be given to healthcare and frontline personnel starting January 10, according to the letter, which calls it "a matter of abundant precaution." Workers must, however, produce the employment certificate in specific circumstances.

"The prioritisation and sequencing of this precaution dose would be based on the completion of nine months that is 39 weeks from the date of administration of the second dose," the letter read.

Around 90 percent of eligible beneficiaries have now received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, with more than 62 percent having been fully immunised. So far, more than 142 crore doses of the vaccine have been given out.

Vaccination for 15-18 year olds will begin on January 3, 2022, and they will be given Covaxin, which is the only vaccine having an Emergency Use Listing, according to the letter.

While the government will provide free Covid-19 vaccination at the public centres, the letter said, "Those who have the ability to pay are encouraged to use private hospitals' centres."

These beneficiaries will continue to pay the previously announced amount for each vaccine at private CVCs (Covid Vaccination Centres).