The third phase of the COVID-19 vaccination drive gets underway from Thursday, April 1. This round of vaccination will see people aged 45 and above receiving the Covid jabs.

In the third phase, people aged 45 and above as of January 1, 2021, are eligible for vaccination, irrespective of their comorbidity status," PTI quoted an official saying.

Centre government on Thursday said that vaccination will be carried out throughout April, including on gazetted holidays, at all public and private sector centres.

Here is all you need to know :-

Who will be eligible to get vaccinated?

From April 1, people aged 45 years and above will be eligible to get vaccinated. This phase of vaccination drive will cover the population which is at the highest risk of getting infected. In India, 90 per cent of Covid deaths have occurred in people who are above the age of 45.

How to register for Covid-19 vaccination?

You can register yourself for COVID-19 vaccination through the government’s Co-Win portal using the link https://selfregistration.cowin.gov.in/. One can also register for vaccination through the AarogyaSetu App.

“From April 1 all people above 45 yrs of age will be eligible for vaccination. Advance appointments can be booked through http://cowin.gov.in. If you don't want to do this, you can go to your nearest vaccination center after 3 pm and go for on-site registration," said Rajesh Bhushan, Union Health Secretary, on Wednesday.

What are the documents required?

If you are planning to get vaccinated this week, you will need any of these documents - aadhaar card, driving licence, health insurance, the smart card issued by the Ministry of Labour, MNREGA guarantee card, MNREGA job card, official identity card issued by MPs, MLAs, PAN card, passbook of bank or post office, passport, pension documents, service identity card issued to employees by central/state government or public limited companies, and voter ID cards.

What is the cost of the vaccine dose?

Vaccination at government hospitals and clinics is free. However, vaccination at private hospitals will cost up to Rs 250 per dose.

Which vaccines are being given in India?

India has two COVID-19 vaccine candidates - Covishield and COVAXIN which have received emergency use authorisation from the national drugs regulator.

Meanwhile, the cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country has crossed 6.43 crore till March 31.

India began its COVID-19 vaccination programmed two and half months ago on January 16. In the first phase, healthcare workers were administered the vaccine. It was followed by a second phase vaccination drive in which 60 years of age and for people aged 45 and above with specified co-morbid conditions were inoculated.