Foreign nationals now eligible for Covid vaccine in India
The Health Ministry has decided to allow foreign nationals residing in India to get registered on CoWin portal to take Covid vaccine.
They can use their passport as ID for the registration on CoWIN. Once they're registered on this portal, foreign nationals get a slot for Covid vaccination.
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The Centre said a significant number of foreign nationals were living in India, especially in large metropolitan areas. In these areas, the potential of spread of Covid was high due to higher population density. To counter any possibility of such occurrence, it was important to vaccinate all eligible persons, it added.
"This initiative will ensure the safety of foreign nationals residing in India. It will also bring down the possibilities of further transfer of infection from unvaccinated persons residing in India. It will also ensure overall safety from further transmission of Covid-19 virus," the release added.
For the unversed, the National Covid-19 Vaccination Programme is being implemented across all states and Union Territories (UTs) since January 16, 2021, in the country. The vaccination programme in its current phase covers all citizens aged 18 years and above.
As on August 9, India has administered more than 51 crore vaccine doses across the country.
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Meanwhile, after the announcement, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya took to Twitter and wrote: "Together We Fight, Together We Win."
"Govt has now allowed foreign nationals residing in India to register on CoWin portal and take #COVID19 vaccine. This will ensure overall safety from the transmission of the virus," he added.
-PTC News
