PUNE: Students travelling abroad will have to follow their state- or district-specific arrangements to avail of second dose of Covishield and they would not be able to find an appointment booking component on CoWin after completion of the 28-day gap from the first dose, a central official on CoWin management portal said on Friday.
The Centre had recently said the gap between two Covishield doses for those undertaking international travel for educational purposes or employment opportunities or as a part of India’s contingent for Tokyo Olympic games could be reduced to less than 84 days after the date of the first dose.
However, as per the guidelines even in these cases, the second dose will only be administered after 28 days from the first dose of Covishield.
The statement by the ministry of health and family welfare had also said CoWin system would soon provide the facility for administration of second dose in such exceptional cases.
After the Union government announcement, many students approached the local authorities to know when this system would reflect on CoWin so that they could book appointments for shots.
The central official, however, clarified, “Every state is making special arrangements for such students to avail of the second dose.
Students would not be able to book a CoWin appointment in such cases and will have to approach the designated authorities.
The 28-day period option on CoWin system for these beneficiaries is available on the vaccinators’ module.” Rubal Agarwal, PMC additional municipal commissioner, told TOI, “Students going abroad can email us at studentvaccination.pune@gmail.com to get enrolled for vaccination in such cases.
We will plan sessions accordingly and give them appointments by email.
In fact, we plan such special sessions every Wednesday for students going abroad for studies.”