India is all set for the biggest vaccination drive against Covid-19.
The DCGI has approved two vaccines, Serum Institute Of India’s ‘Covishield’ and Bharat Biotech’s ‘Covaxin’ for emergency use.
According to DCGI both Covishield and Covaxin have to be administered in two doses.
The first phase of the vaccination will include frontline workers followed by people who are about 50 years old. For the further vaccination process, the central government has introduced an application named ‘co-WIN (COVID vaccine intelligence network).
The vaccine will be available only upon registration as there is no provision for on the spot registration.
So how can you register for covid-19 vaccine in India?
The vaccine is currently available only to healthcare and frontline workers and is not accessible to the general public. Once it is open for the masses, the beneficiaries will have to register themselves on a co-WIN app.
co-WIN APP AVAILABILITY
THE co-WIN app is not functional yet. The application is currently in the pre-product stage.
Once the app is up and live you can download it from google play store and apple app store for free.
HOW TO REGISTER FOR COVID-19 VACCINE IN INDIA?

STEP 1: DOWNLOAD CO-WIN APP
The covid-19 vaccine will only be available to those who have pre-registered on the co-WIN website or app so firstly you need to download the co-WIN app or you can go directly to Co-WIN Admin Application.
Co-WIN (covid 19 vaccine intelligence network) is an upgraded version of the electronic vaccine intelligence network used by the health ministry to track the vaccination drive.
STEP 2: SIGNING UP
Here you will be required to upload your document for self-registration.
The following documents can be used
- Aadhar card
- Driving license
- Pan card
- Bank/post office passbook
- MNREGA job card
- Health insurance smart card issued under schemes of the ministry of labor
- Official identity card issued to MPs, MLAs, MLCs
- Passport
- Pension document
- Voter ID card
- A smart card issued by RGI under NPR
- Service identity card issued to employees by central/state govt./PSUs/public limited companies
STEP 3: AUTHENTICATION
In case you choose to provide aadhar as a photo id the co-WIN system will perform an aadhar authentication.
You can select from a range of authentication methods like biometrics, OTP authentication, or demographic authentication.
This is important as the same verification process is required at the time of vaccination as well.
STEP 4: APPLYING FOR THE VACCINATION
The co-WIN app will have 5 modules
- Administrator module
- Registration module
- Vaccination module
- Beneficiary acknowledgment module
- Report module
General people can register via the ‘registration module’
For registration, the user needs to provide their photo identity.
The administrators will be able to track the information provided by citizens using the administrative module.
Request for the vaccination with necessary details.
STEP 5: REQUEST GRANTED
After your request is granted, you will receive the date, place, and time of your vaccination through an SMS on your registered mobile number.
WHAT THE VACCINATION SITE WILL LOOK LIKE?
One thing which is to be kept in mind is THERE WILL BE NO ON THE SPOT REGISTRATION.
Only the registered beneficiary will be attended.
So the vaccination site will have 3 sections which are
- Waiting section
Here you are required to verify your identity (the same which you did in the co-WIN app) and wait for your turn patiently.
2. Vaccination section
In your turn, you will get vaccinated by the doctor.
3. Observation section
After the vaccination, you will be kept under observation for half an hour to see how your body reacts and if there are any adverse side effects.
COST OF VACCINATION
Union health minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan has announced that the vaccination will be free for frontline workers.
The cost to the general public has not been announced yet.
WHO WILL GET VACCINE FIRST?
HEALTHCARE WORKERS
In the first phase, one crore health worker both from private and government hospitals will be the first in the line to be inoculated.
FRONTLINE WORKERS
Two crores frontline workers which include
- Home guards
- Armed forces
- Municipal workers
- Asha workers
- Disaster management workers
- Community workers (cleaners, teachers, drivers, etc)
Are also going to get the vaccination in the first phase.
PEOPLE OF 50 YEARS OR ABOVE AGE
In the second phase, people of the age group of 50 and above along with people with high co-morbidities will be prioritized in every state since the coronavirus has proved fatal largely for the people in this age group.
HIGH COVID INFECTED AREAS
The state which has the highest number of coronavirus cases will get the vaccine first as compared to the states where the number of active cases is low.
GENERAL PUBLIC
Last but not least the vaccine will be available to the common people like you and me. For which we will have to register ourselves on the co-WIN app.
WHO SHOULDN’T TAKE THE VACCINATION
Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech both have listed the side effects and risks of the coronavirus vaccine.
Some of the side effects include:
- Itching, redness, swelling, and pain where the injection is administered
- Stiffness in the upper arm
- Bodyache
- Fever
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Nausea or vomiting
- Malaise
- Rashes
The factsheets provided by both the manufacturers clearly state who should not take the covid-19 vaccination.
Let us take a look in detail.

BHARAT BIOTECH FACTSHEET (COVAXIN)
You are not eligible to take the vaccine if you have
- History of allergies
- Serious health issue detected by doctor or vaccine shot supervisor
- Fever
- Bleeding disorder
- On a blood thinner medicine
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- Under 18 years of age
- Immune compromised
- On the medication that affects your immune system
- Received another covid-19 vaccine
SERUM INSTITUTE OF INDIA FACTSHEET (COVISHIELD)
You are not eligible to take the vaccine if you have
- Severe allergic reaction after the previous dose of this vaccine
- Severe allergic reaction to the ingredient of this vaccine
- If your doctor advised not to take the vaccination
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- Under 18 years of age
CONCLUSION
As the vaccination drive is in full swing you must be hearing tons of news related to it.
My only piece of advice to everyone is to just keep calm and patiently wait. Don’t fall for the fake news which is floating on the internet now and then.
If you feel your body is completely fine just register yourself on the co-WIN app whenever the app is up for the common people and get your shot and if you feel that you need to first get advice from your doctor, you are free to do the same.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
Is it mandatory to take the Covid-19 vaccination?
No, it is not mandatory. However, it is highly advisable to take the covid-19 vaccine for protecting oneself against this disease and also to limit the spread of this disease.
How many doses of vaccine will I get?
There would be two doses of the vaccine which will be given at a 28-day interval. The effectiveness of the vaccine would begin only after 14 days of receiving the second dose.
Is registration compulsory?
Yes, It is mandatory to register yourself on the co-WIN app to get the vaccination. After registration, you will get the date, time and venue of the vaccination on your registered mobile number.