Centre has allowed vaccination for foreign nationals in India. (Representational)
Foreign nationals can now get vaccinated in India, Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced today on Twitter. The foreign individuals will have to register through the government-operated CoWIN app, using their passport as an identity document for the purpose of registration, a release by the health ministry said.
The health ministry further said that it was important to vaccinate the large number of foreign population that resides 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," the ministry said.
This initiative will ensure the safety of foreign nationals residing in India, the ministry said.
"It will also bring down the possibilities of further transfer of infection from unvaccinated persons residing in India. It will also ensure overall safety from further transmission of COVID-19 virus," the ministry added in the release.
The centre is currently running a national vaccination programme to jab all the individuals above the age of 18. As on 9th August, 2021, India has administered more than 51 crore vaccine doses across the country.