The COVID-19 disease, which gripped the world during early 2020 after the rapid spread of coronavirus, has had detrimental effects on the world till now. Not only it has resulted in the untimely death of millions of people around the globe but also it ruined the economy of many countries. In India, the coronavirus has caused the death of more than 1.6 lakhs people till now.

However, things are expected to improve after the vaccines for covid-19 were introduced by different countries around the world. In India, the Serum Institute of India (SII) and Bharat Biotech released the covid-19 vaccines known as ‘Covishield’ and ‘Covaxin’ respectively. In January 2021, the Health Ministry of India introduced its plan to begin a vaccination drive to vaccinate the Indian population against this disease.

However, not everyone or anyone is supposed to take the vaccine right away. In the first phase of the vaccination drive, the healthcare workers and frontline warriors against the covid-19 disease received the vaccine. Whereas, during the second phase, people above the age of 60, and those above the age of 45 with co-morbidities are being vaccinated.

Both SII and Bharat Biotech as well as the Government of India have listed the risks and side-effects associated with the covid vaccines. Read on to know who should and who should not take the covid vaccine in India.

Who can take the vaccine?

During the second phase of the vaccination drive, the Government of India has allowed the people above the age of 60 and those between 45 to 59 with co-morbidities to take the vaccine. It means that anyone falling in this age range (barring a few exceptions which we have mentioned later) can take the covid-19 vaccine in India.

Those with co-morbidities are required to submit a certificate of co-morbidity, duly signed by a registered medical practitioner, for taking the vaccine. This certificate can either be uploaded at Co-Win 2.0 by the beneficiary itself while registering for the vaccine or a hard copy can be submitted at any covid vaccination center.

Here is the full list of co-morbidities:

• Heart failure during the past year
• Post cardiac transplant or Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD)
• Valvular Heart Disease
• Congenital heart disease with severe PAH
• Coronary Artery Disease with past Hypertension or diabetes
• Angina with past Hypertension or diabetes
• CT/MRI documented stroke with past hypertension or diabetes
• Diabetes or Hypertension for more than 10 years
• Kidney/Liver/Hematopoietic stem cell transplant
• End-stage kidney disease on Haemodialysis or CAPD
• Current and prolonged use of oral corticosteroids or immunosuppressant medications
• Decompensated cirrhosis
• Severe respiratory disease requiring hospitalization in past two years
• Lymphoma or Leukaemia or Myeloma
• Cancer or cancer therapy
• Sickle cell disease or Bone marrow failure or Aplastic anemia or major Thalassemia
• HIV or AIDS infection
• Persons with disabilities