Foreign nationals now eligible for Covid vaccination in India

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, August 9

In a landmark decision to ensure safety from Covid-19, the central government on Monday expanded the ongoing inoculation drive to include foreign nations residing in India.

The Ministry of Health said all foreign nationals residing in India will now be eligible to receive Covid-19 shots after getting registered on CoWin portal.

“Foreign nationals living in can use their passport as the identity document for the purpose of registration on CoWIN portal. Once they are registered on this portal, they will get a slot for vaccination,” a government statement said.

A significant number of foreign nationals are living in India, especially in large metropolitan areas.

In these areas, the potential of spread of Covid-19 is high due to higher population density.

“To counter any possibility of such occurrence, it is important to vaccinate all eligible persons,” health minister Mansukh Mandaviya said.

The initiative, the ministry said, will ensure the safety of foreign nationals residing in India and reduce the possibilities of further transfer of infection from unvaccinated persons residing in India.

It will also ensure overall safety from the further transmission of the Covid-19 virus.

Today’s decision marks a new milestone in the journey of the Covid-19 Vaccination Programme which started on January 16.

The vaccination programme in its current phase covers all adults. As on August 9, 2021, India has administered more than 51 crore vaccine doses across the country.

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