Union Minister Prakash Javadekar announced on Tuesday that everyone above the age of 45 will be able to get vaccinated for coronavirus from April 1.

 “We have enough vaccines. All eligible people should get registered as it is a shield against COVID-19. We appeal all above 45+ should get vaccinated,” Javadekar said during a press conference. Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan sent a letter to chief administrators of all states and Union Territories, which stated, ÂBased on available scientific evidence, the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC) has been guiding all aspects of the vaccination drive. He further added, ÂFrom April 1, there will now be no need for a comorbidity certificate for people aged 45 years to 59 years. The registration on Co-WIN would begin on April 1.

4.85 crore people have already received the first dose of the Covid vaccine and 80 lakh have received the second. In the center’s letter to states yesterday, there is a clause to increase the gap between two doses of Serum Institute of India’s Covishield – developed by Oxford-AstraZeneca. Mr. Javadekar said, ÂDoctors would prescribe the right time for the second dose. It has to be between four to eight weeks. Doctors will decide when it is best to take the second shot.” 

Though new COVID-19 infections dropped by 13 percent to 40,715 on Tuesday, India has seen a spike in coronavirus cases over the past few weeks, with the daily rise staying above 30,000 since March 18. The active cases have recorded an increase for the 13th day in a row, according to the Union health ministry. The number of cases with the UK, South Africa, and Brazil variants of the Covid virus across the country is 795.

Vaccinations rolled out with two vaccines – Covishield and Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin — on January 16 with healthcare workers. Frontline workers were declared eligible for the shots from February 2 onwards.

To get more details about the vaccine www.who.int/novel-coronavirus-2019

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