Vaccination for Covid-19 is voluntary, says Health Ministry, lists SOPs

at 11:19 pm
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New Delhi (NVI) The Union Health Ministry has said that getting a Covid-19 dose will be voluntary while assuring that the vaccine developed in India will be as effective as in any other country in the world.

The ministry said this in its recently released document to answer public queries in the form of frequently asked questions (FAQs).

“Vaccination for Covid-19 is voluntary. However, it is advisable to receive the complete schedule of Covid-19 vaccine for protecting oneself against this disease and also to limit the spread of this disease to the close contacts including family members, friends, relatives and co-workers,” the document said.

The Ministry also advised receiving a complete schedule of the anti-coronavirus vaccine irrespective of past history of infection with Covid-19. It said this will help in developing a strong immune response against the disease.

The protective level of antibodies generally develop two weeks after receiving the second dose, according to the ministry.

For the vaccination, the government would ideally like to cover everyone in phases, the priority group for Covid-19 vaccine delivery in phase 1 is being drafted keeping in mind vaccine availability.

The Health Ministry has also informed that people will have to continue following key Covid appropriate behaviours, such as wearing of mask, maintaining hand sanitisation and physical distance, even after vaccination.

-ARK