Union Minister Prakash Javadekar announced in a press conference on Tuesday that people above 45 years of age are allowed to get vaccinated against the novel coronavirus from April 1 and requested eligible people to take the vaccine shot.

Until now, people over the age of 60 and those over the age of 45 with associated comorbidities, healthcare workers and frontline workers were eligible to get vaccinated. People over 45 years of age can now take the vaccine regardless of comorbidities. "It has been decided that from 1st April, the vaccine will open for everybody above 45 years of age. We request that all eligible should immediately register and get vaccinated." While private hospitals charge Rs. 250 for a person per shot, the vaccination is free of cost at government hospitals. The second dose of vaccine (especially Covishield) is to be taken anytime between the 4th and 8th week of receiving the first shot. "As per the advice by scientists and world scientist bodies, second dose can be administered between fourth and eighth week, particularly for Covishield," Javadekar added.

On January 3, two vaccines - Bharat Biotech's Covaxin and Oxford-AstraZeneca's Covishield manufactured by Serum Institute of India - were approved by India for restricted emergency use. The union health ministry also informed that 4,84,94,594 Covid-19 vaccine doses have been administered through 7,84,612 sessions until 7 am this morning.