Explained: why do you need to get a booster dose and when can you take it

A 'precaution dose' or an additional dose of the Covid-19 vaccine will available to people above 60 years of age with co-morbidities on doctors advice from January 10, 2022.

However, people eligible for these doses will need a medical certificate proving their co-morbidity to take it, Dr RS Sharma, chief executive officer at National Health Authority who also heads the functioning of CoWIN platform, told News18.

The certificate signed by any registered medical practitioner, can either be uploaded on Co-WIN while registering or hard copy can be carried by the beneficiary to the vaccination centres.

Dr Sharma said that the govt has specified 20 comorbidities, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, stem cell transplant, kidney disease or on dialysis, cirrhosis, cancer, sickle cell disease, and current prolonged use of steroids or immunosuppressant drugs.

Also watch: EJ explainer: India's precautionary shot, world's booster shot - is there a difference?

According to a report based on sources by India Today, the gap between the second dose and the additional third dose is likely to be 9 months to 12 months.

Along with the elderly, all healthcare and frontline workers will also be given 'precaution dose' from January 10, 2022.