No fresh registrations of healthcare, frontline workers for COVID-19 vaccination will be allowed from now on: Govt

NEW DELHI: The Union Government has said that no fresh registrations of healthcare and frontline workers for COVID-19 vaccination will be allowed from now on. In a letter to states and union territories, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said that some ineligible beneficiaries in this category are getting their names enlisted for vaccination against COVID-19 in violation of rules.

He said, this issue was discussed with state representatives and domain knowledge experts in the NEGVAC meeting yesterday, and as per the recommendation of National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC), it has been decided that no fresh registrations in categories of HCWs and FLWs will be allowed with immediate effect. He said registration of persons aged 45 years and above will continue to be permitted on Co-WIN portal.

Mr Bhushan, however, asked the states and UTs to ensure universal vaccination of already registered healthcare workers and frontline workers at the earliest. The pan-India vaccination drive was kick-started on January 16 with healthcare workers getting inoculated and the vaccination of frontline workers started from February 2.

The next phase of the drive commenced from March 1 for those over 60 years of age and for people above 45 years of age with specified co-morbid conditions. From 1st of April, the third phase of the drive started in the country in which those above the age of 45 are eligible for vaccine.