There is no
need for new registration for those taking the precautionary dose or booster
shot of COVID-19 vaccine 39 weeks after getting their second dose and they can
directly take an appointment from Saturday or walk-in, the Union Health
Ministry said.  From January 10, India
will start administering the precautionary dose of the vaccine to healthcare
workers, frontline workers and those above 60 years of age with comorbidities.

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In a
statement on Friday, the ministry said there is no need for new registration
and those who have taken two doses of the vaccine can directly take an
appointment or walk-in to any COVID-19 vaccination centre.  “There is no need for new registration on
CoWIN. Those who have taken two doses of Covid vaccine can directly take an
appointment or walk in to any vaccination centre,” a source in the ministry told Indian Express.
“Online appointment facility will start from tomorrow (Saturday) evening.
Vaccination with on-site appointment starts on January 10,” the source added.

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“Schedules
will be published tomorrow- January 8. Online appointment facility will also
start by tomorrow evening,” it said. Vaccination with onsite appointment
starts on 10th January.

Earlier
this week, the Indian government had said that the “precautionary” dose would be the
same as the first two doses. The health ministry has said that there is no need
for those above 60 years to provide a prescription or medical certificate to
prove co-morbidity for vaccination.

Also Read: Hospitalisations skyrocket in kids too young for COVID shots

On December
25, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that the third dose for three
categories would begin from January 10, and vaccination of children in the
15-18 years age group will start from January 3.

India crossed 150 crore COVID-19 cases doses

The latest
phase of vaccination comes at a time when the country is recording a surge in
COVID-19 cases. According to the health ministry, 1,17,100 new cases and a
positivity rate of 7.74% were reported on Friday, taking the country’s active
caseload to 3,71,363. India on Friday crossed 150 crore COVID-19 doses.

Also Read: India’s COVID vaccination tally surpasses 150-crore mark

 “In a landmark achievement, India’s Covid-19
vaccination coverage has crossed 150 crore (1,50,52,21,314) today. More than 81
lakh (81,50,982) vaccine doses have been administered till 7 pm today. The
daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of the
final reports for the day by late tonight,” the ministry said in a statement.

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“A
remarkable day on the vaccination front! Congratulations to our fellow citizens
on crossing the 150 crore milestone. Our vaccination drive has ensured that
many lives are saved. At the same time, let us also keep following all Covid-19
related protocol,” Modi tweeted.

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“India is
grateful to all those who have been working to make our vaccination drive a
success. We thank our doctors, scientists, innovators and the healthcare
workers who are vaccinating the people. I urge all those eligible to get their
shots. Together, let’s fight Covid-19,” he tweeted.