Guidelines for COVID-19 ‘Precaution Dose’ of Healthcare Workers, Front Line Workers and Senior Citizens

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has issued guidelines for COVID vaccination of children aged 15-18 years and for the administration of precaution doses to priority groups including healthcare workers (HCWs) and front line workers (FLWs). Senior citizens (people above 60 years) with co-morbidities are also eligible for precautionary doses.

These guidelines outline who is eligible for precautionary dose, when will it be rolled out and the methods of booking slots to get the vaccination.

Who is eligible for the precautionary dose of vaccine?

As per the guidelines from MoHFW, not everyone is eligible for a precautionary dose. It will be provided to the healthcare workers and front line workers who are at the forefront in the fight against COVID-19.  The precautionary dose will also be provided to senior citizens above 60 years of age with co-morbidities.

When will the precautionary dose of vaccine be rolled out?

As per the guidelines, the precautionary dose will be made available from January 10, 2022. However, it can be taken only after 9 months (39 weeks) from the date of administration of the 2^nd dose.

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Which conditions are considered co-morbidities?

While the health ministry is expected to release specific guidelines soon, the following conditions were considered when COVID-19 vaccination was made available to people above 45 years with co-morbidities:

1. Post cardiac transplant or left ventricular assist device
2. Heart failure with hospitalisation in the last one year
3. Significant left ventricular systolic dysfunction
4. Congenital heart disease with severe PAH or idiopathic PAH
5. Moderate/severe valvular heart disease
6. Coronary artery disease with past MI/ PTCA/CABG and diabetes/hypertension on treatment
7. Angina and diabetes/hypertension on treatment
8. Pulmonary artery hypertension and diabetes/hypertension on treatment
9. MRI/CT documented stroke and hypertension/diabetes on treatment
10. Diabetes (greater than 10 years or with complications) and hypertension/diabetes on treatment
11. Liver/kidney/hematopoietic stem cell transplant: Recipient on the waitlist
12. End-stage kidney disease on CAPD/haemodialysis
13. Decompensated cirrhosis
14. Current prolonged use of oral corticosteroids/immunosuppressant medication
15. Severe respiratory disease with hospitalisations in the last two years/FEV1 lesser than 50%
16. Myeloma/lymphoma/leukaemia
17. Currently on any cancer therapy or diagnosis of any solid cancer on or after July 1, 2020
18. Sickle cell disease/bone marrow failure/aplastic anaemia/thalassemia major

What vaccine will be given as a ‘precaution’ dose?

An additional dose of the same vaccine could be administered to those who are receiving ‘precautionary’ doses.

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Where can you register for a precautionary dose?

As per the guidelines of MoHFW, beneficiaries can register for the precautionary dose on Co-WIN App through their existing account. The Co-WIN platform will automatically reflect who all are eligible for the precautionary dose from 10 January 2022.

Eligibility will be based on the date of administration of the 2^nd dose as recorded in the Co-WIN. The guidelines further state that the Co-WIN app will send an SMS to the beneficiaries for availing the precaution dose when the dose is due. The registration and appointment services can be accessed through both, the online as well as the onsite modes. After the administration of the precautionary dose,  the details will be aptly reflected in the vaccination certificates.

What documents are needed to get a precautionary dose?

The following documents may be required for getting the precautionary jab:

1. Proof of age (Aadhaar or any other national identity card)

This will have to be scanned and uploaded on the Co-WIN app at the time of registration.