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At Tata AIA Life Insurance, we have consistently upheld the tradition of protection! In today’s uncertain times, with the world revolving around the COVID-19 and its emerging variants, we are conscious of our responsibility to support our consumers, distribution partners and community. It is our constant endeavour to ensure the well-being of all our stakeholders.
After months of trials, the Government of India introduced the COVID-19 vaccines. The major and popular vaccines in India are Covishield®, Covaxin®, and Sputnik – V1. In addition, the Union Government announced and expanded the “precaution doses” administration, most commonly called the “booster doses”, for increased protection. It is the third dose of the COVID vaccine.
After months of trials, the Government of India introduced the COVID-19 vaccines. The major and popular vaccines in India are Covishield®, Covaxin®, and Sputnik – V1. In addition, the Union Government announced and expanded the “precaution doses” administration, most commonly called the “booster doses”, for increased protection. It is the third dose of the COVID vaccine.
The administration of the booster doses started in early January 2022 and has now been extended to all adults above 18 years of age. The emergence of transmissible variants of the coronavirus, such as Omicron and its latest BF.7 variant, is found to bypass vaccine-induced2 immunity. Therefore, these booster doses will re-equip the immune system to fight against these deadly diseases and help prevent infection.
With rising global cases at the end of 2022, the Government of India is planning a fourth booster dose for everyone. Taking the “precaution dose” is important because the protection from a vaccine will start diminishing after a certain period.
Table of Content
Getting the COVID-19 vaccine is important3 for you because:
The vaccination drive in India is happening in clearly designed phases4:
Phases |
Started From |
Target Group to be Vaccinated |
First Phase |
16th January 2021 |
Healthcare and frontline workers, including sanitation workers, police personnel and disaster management workers |
Second Phase |
1st March 2021 |
People above 60 years and those between 45 to 59 years with co-morbid conditions |
Third Phase |
1st April 2021 |
Everyone above 45 years |
Fourth Phase |
1st May 2021 |
Everyone above the age of 18 years |
Fifth Phase |
3rd Jan 2022 |
For beneficiaries in the age group 15 – 18 |
Sixth Phase |
16th Mar 2022 |
For beneficiaries in the age group 12 – 14 |
Presently, vaccines are available from the Government and notified Private Healthcare Facilities, known as COVID Vaccination Centers (CVCs)5.
To schedule your vaccination appointment, you can:
You can also access the Co-WIN platform using the Arogya Setu App, register with the details and book the slots for the vaccination.
The registration can be carried out in the vaccination centres directly with the necessary documents, such as ID proofs for people seeking offline methods for vaccination.
If you are eligible for the booster dose, follow these simple steps to schedule the appointment for the vaccine6.
The Government has introduced certain guidelines for vaccination in children and teenagers7.
Furthermore, the Drugs Controller General of India approved the administration of the Corbevax vaccine for children aged 5-12 years and the Covaxin vaccine for children aged 6-12 years during an emergency.
After completing the primary vaccination series, the booster or the precautionary dose is administered to the vaccinated population. The booster dose is introduced to restore the vaccine's effectiveness, which diminishes over a period and gets insufficient to fight the emergence of new variants.
The Government introduced the administration of the COVID-19 booster for adults, the age group between 18 - 59 years, on 15th July 2022 8. It is best advised to take the booster doses, the third and the fourth doses, at the recommended intervals of 6 months, as the infections are bound to increase due to the emergence of new variants such as B5.7 and XRR9. And it is highly recommended that high-risk individuals, such as people over 60 years of age, people with comorbidities and people who are immuno-compromised, must take the second booster dose10.
There are a few aspects you need to know before getting vaccinated11.
Taking the vaccine on an empty stomach is not advised. Therefore, you need to eat well before getting vaccinated. Avoid having processed and heavy food before getting the vaccine.
Drink a good amount of water and stay well hydrated.
Ensure to sleep well and peacefully throughout the night before you get vaccinated.
If you have been affected due to a disease or an illness and are worried about the impact of COVID-vaccine, consult your doctor and get your doubts clarified to feel comfortable.
Avoid medicines such as painkillers before the vaccination to prevent getting affected due to side effects. Instead, have the recommended medications advised by your doctor, if necessary. If you habitually take over-the-counter medicines, inform the doctor at the vaccination centre.
Avoid having excess alcohol before the vaccination, as it can dehydrate your body.
Take a leave from your regular work and be prepared for the vaccination to avoid unnecessary stress before getting the vaccine. Take your ID card, wear a mask and follow the instructions detailed in the vaccination centre.
Ensure to be in your most comfortable and best clothing, keeping in mind the injection on your arm.
Research the available vaccines, their applicability, and approvals before getting it and ensure that it is from a trusted source.
If you find any COVID-19 symptoms, cancel your vaccination plan, and discuss it with your doctor immediately.
Like any other vaccine, even with COVID-19 vaccines, you might experience mild to moderate side effects. Here are a few things that you need to remember after getting vaccinated12.
After getting the vaccination, stay seated and relax at the vaccination centre for about half an hour. Report to the health workers if you find any immediate reactions such as an allergy, dizziness, nausea, etc.,
Drink water at regular intervals of time and stay hydrated throughout the day.
Avoid moving your hands and taking heavy weights after the vaccination that can stress your arm. Instead, soothe your arm and avoid inflammation. You can place a cool and wet cloth and do mild exercises to reduce the pain. Avoid strenuous activities that can increase the side effects on your body for one or two days.
Minor side effects such as swelling, chills, fatigue, mild fever, headache, joint and muscle pain, etc., can exist for a day or two. You can take the prescribed medications provided by your doctor in such cases.
Make a note of your vaccination date and schedule for the next dose as prescribed timely.
If you are required to take any other vaccine, schedule it after 14 days or 28 days based on the type of vaccine and its specifications.
If you are taking any medications such as blood thinners, steroids, etc., or having immunosuppressants, discuss with your doctor about having those medicines after taking the COVID vaccine.
Getting vaccinated does not mean you are completely protected from the coronavirus or other similar infections. You might contract COVID-19 even after your vaccination and suffer from milder symptoms. Therefore, maintain a safer distance from affected people, clean your premises, wear a mask, and follow all the safety protocols.
Although we have seen the introduction of various vaccines and booster doses, it is imperative to know that the spread of the virus and the emergence of the variants and their impact are crucial. Therefore, it is important to follow certain precautionary measures to stay protected and avoid infections.
Here is how you can get used to the 'New Normal' emphasising 'Precaution is better than cure'.
Follow safety guidelines
The Government has laid certain safety guidelines to ensure that the population at large is not affected due to a great extent. Some of the most important guidelines include:
Maintaining social distance in public places.
Wearing a mask when you step out to a public place.
Keeping your hands clean by washing or sanitising them regularly.
Taking a shower after you reach home.
Stay safe at your workplace
Getting back to work after the long work-from-home phase might get exciting. However, it would help if you stayed safe by following certain preventive measures, such as:
Sanitising your hands after places or objects that are most commonly used, such as elevators, doorknobs, etc.,
Avoid physical contact with your co-workers.
Keep disinfecting your bags, shoes, etc., kept in common places.
Staying healthy
Resorting to a healthy lifestyle is certainly the new normal. Having a balanced diet, exercising regularly, being hydrated, etc., can help you boost your immune system and fight against the effect of these viruses.
Plan a safe holiday
When you are planning for a vacation, try avoiding places that are crowded. Instead, plan a holiday to safe remote locations with camping essentials experiencing the varied landscapes and adventures.
Regular health check-up
Get your regular health check-up done at the intervals suggested by your doctor. It will help you identify if you are affected by any comorbidities, such as diabetes, heart disease, etc.
People affected by comorbidities, are obese, more than 60 years of age or have any other serious health condition are at high risk. Therefore, identifying any such scenarios and taking the necessary treatment is important.
At Tata AIA Life Insurance, we have taken the following steps to provide COVID-19 support to the community.
AWARENESS DRIVE
Our experts are happy to help you!
What are the top safety precautions to protect against Covid?
Some of the top safety precautions to protect yourself against COVID-19 are:
What are the steps to follow if you test positive for Covid?
How to test for Covid-19 with Over-The-Counter Covid Test Kits in India?
Rapid antigen self-test kits are available over the counter in India. Such kits contains a test card, a pre-filled extraction tube, a sterile nasal swab, a disposable bag, and a manual. Here is how you can use the kit to test for COVID-19.
How to download the Covid-19 vaccine certificate in India?
You can download the certificate for the COVID-19 vaccination online using your Aadhaar Number. The online platforms available for download are:
The most common option among these is the CoWIN portal. Here are the steps to download the vaccination certificate from the CoWIN portal:
Are children below 15 years of age eligible for the vaccine in India?
Children starting from the age of 12 years are eligible for the vaccine in India. In addition, India has granted the restricted use of Covaxin to children in the age group 6 - 12 years and Corbevax for children in the age group 5 - 12 years during an emergency.
Which vaccine is available for children in India?
The following are the vaccines available for children in India:
In addition, India has granted the restricted use of Covaxin to children in the age group 6 - 12 years and Corbevax for children in the age group 5 - 12 years during an emergency.
What are the Covid Variants of Concern as of January 2023?
The COVID Variants Of Concern as of January 2023 are Omicron B.1.1529, BA. 1.1, BA. 2, BA. 3, BA. 4, and BA. 5. A recent upsurge in the transmission of the virus due to the BF.7 variant. It is a sub-lineage of the BA.5 Omicron variant. Furthermore, the emergence of the Omicron XBB and XBB1.5 is increasing worldwide. The XBB is a sub-variant of the BA.2 Omicron variant.
Who is eligible for the booster doses in India?
In the initial stages, the booster doses were administered to Healthcare workers, Frontline workers, and senior citizens. However, it has now been extended to all the beneficiaries in the age group 18 and 59 years of age children between the ages of 15 to 18 are also eligible to receive the COVID-19 booster dose.
Are there any side-effects of the Covid-19 booster doses?
After getting the booster doses, people might get temporary symptoms such as a swollen, sore arm where they got the vaccine injected. There can be fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, mild headache, and fatigue for two days. People can also expect nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
Where can I register for the COVID-19 vaccine?
Alternatively, you can go to the Co-WIN tab on the Arogya Setu app to register.
Where are the COVID-19 vaccines available?
COVID-19 vaccines are available at Government and Private Health Facilities authorised by the government, known as COVID Vaccination Centres (CVCs).
Which documents are required for COVID-19 vaccination registration?
You can register on the Co-WIN portal using any of the following ID proofs:
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