Covid 19 vaccination for 18 to 45 years: Can't get appointment on cowin.gov.in, Aarogya Setu App? Here is what Modi government says

Covid 19 vaccination for 18 to 45 years: As the registration for the third phase of the vaccination drive kicks off, several users found no hospitals offering vaccines to people below the age of 45 years. National Health Authority Chief Executive Officer RS Sharma clarified why this is happening and when people will be able to book appointments for the coronavirus vaccination.  

The central government earlier this month has allowed everyone above 18 years of age to get vaccinated from 1 May onwards, of which the enrolment process for the same began on Wednesday at 4:00 pm on CoWin application and website along with Aarogya Setu app. India on Thursday reported around 3.8 lakh new cases and around 3800 deaths in the last 24-hour.  

RS Sharma, speaking to news agency ANI said, “Some States and hospitals may come on board on May 1 or later, therefore, the visibility into the bookings/vacancy available for vaccination will be available when States, hospitals come on board.”  

“We will continue to announce as and when States come on board. We will provide information in public. The advice to people is that you log in and get an appointment only when you see vacancies available,” he further added.  

Appointments for vaccination depends on how many vaccination state government and private centers are ready on May 1 above 18 years of age. The government had liberalized its vaccination policy after an unprecedented surge in COVID-19 cases in the country. At present, all above 45 years of age are made eligible to get vaccinated.  

Sharma said they were ready and geared up for a large number of registrations. “We had test registration of about 5 million people in a day on the registration platform. Maybe the number will be double that after registrations are open. We are ready for it,” Sharma said.  

In this regard, while clarifying on this issue Aarogya Setu on Wednesday had also tweeted, “Vaccination appointments for 18 plus will be possible once the state governments and private vaccination centers schedule vaccination sessions.”