Beginning March 1, 2021, India has started the second phase of its COVID-19 vaccination programme. Under this phase, people over 60 years of age and those aged between 45 to 59 years with certain comorbidities would be eligible for COVID-19 vaccination in the country. According to the government, some 10 crore people would be able to access the life-saving COVID-19 vaccines at government and private healthcare facilities in the second phase.

While anyone aged 60 years and above would be able to get COVID-19 vaccines now, there is some confusion amongst people falling in the 45 to 59 years age bracket. Many of them are unsure if their pre-existing medical condition makes them eligible for vaccination. In order to dispel this confusion, we are sharing the list of specified comorbidities that would determine their eligibility for Covid-19 vaccination.

List of specified comorbidities for determination of eligibility of people in age group 45 to 59 years

According to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) statement, people aged between 45 and 59 years with any one of these following comorbidities will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccination:

1. Heart failure with hospital admission in the past year.
2. Post-cardiac transplant/left ventricular assist device (LVAD).
3. Significant left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVEF less than 40 percent).
4. Moderate or severe valvular heart disease.
5. Congenital heart disease with severe PAH or idiopathic PAH.
6. Coronary artery disease with past CABG/PTCA/MI and hypertension/diabetes on treatment.
7. Angina and hypertension/diabetes on treatment.
8. CT/MRI documented stroke and hypertension/diabetes on treatment.
9. Pulmonary artery hypertension and hypertension/diabetes (for more than 10 years or with complications) and hypertension on treatment.
10. Diabetes (for more than 10 years or with complications) and hypertension on treatment.
11. Kidney/liver/hematopoietic stem cell transplant: recipient/on wait-list.
12. End-stage kidney disease on hemodialysis/CAPD.
13. Current prolonged use of oral corticosteroids. immunosuppressant medications.
14. Decompensated cirrhosis.
15. Severe respiratory disease with hospitalizations in the last two years/FEV1 less than 50 percent.
16. Lymphoma/ Leukaemia/Myeloma.
17. Diagnosis of any solid cancer on or after 1 July 2020 or currently on any cancer therapy.
18. Sickle cell disease/bone marrow failure/aplastic anemia/ thalassemia major.
19. Primary immunodeficiency diseases/HIV infections.
20. Persons with disabilities due to intellectual disabilities/ muscular dystrophy/acid attack with the involvement of respiratory system/persons with disabilities having high support needs/multiple disabilities, including deaf-blindness.

Therefore, individuals who meet these criteria can go ahead and register themselves. People in the 45+ age group with comorbidities will be required to present a doctor certificate at the time of vaccination.

How Apollo is helping its customers with the vaccinations

Apollo has been preparing to vaccinate its customers in the safest manner, following all Government guidelines and regulations. We are prepared to administer one million COVID-19 vaccines a day, by leveraging our robust pan-India network. We will be following Government prescribed pricing for the COVID-19 vaccines.

Apollo can help you register for the vaccination and handhold you through the entire process.

• Call your nearest Apollo center to schedule your vaccination

• Remember to bring your comorbidity doctor certificate (for 45+ group).
• Do not have one? Do a virtual consult on Apollo 247 to get a comorbidity certificate.

• You can also register for the vaccine via Co-WIN. Select 'Apollo Hospitals' as the administration site.
• Should you have any vaccination-related questions, you can connect with Apollo's expert COVID-19 panel, which is a complimentary service available on Apollo 247.