As per data shared by the MoHFW in response to a RTI application, more than 1.32 crore beneficiaries registered directly for the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine on the Co-WIN portal. While the exact scenarios in which such direct registration is allowed are not known, there are variations between states & age groups. A vaccination certificate is issued to individuals in India after they receive the COVID-19 vaccine by registering on the Co-WIN platform. After the first dose, a provisional COVID-19 vaccine certificate is issued. The final certificate is issued after both the required doses are given. The provisional COVID-19 vaccination certificate in India that is given after the first dose contains details like the beneficiary’s name, type of vaccine, date of vaccination, location of vaccination centre, and scheduled time period for receiving the second dose. The certificate is important as it is a confirmation that an individual has received the first dose and the eligible date for the second dose is based on this. It is also considered a valid proof of vaccination and is important to ensure that the second dose is not mixed up with that of another vaccine. What are the issues with registrations & vaccine certificates? Delays: Recently, there were multiple media reports about the delay in receiving the COVID-19 vaccination certificate. There were complaints that even after weeks of taking the first dose, they had not received their vaccine certificate. Delay in the issue of these certificates has raised concerns among beneficiaries since the eligibility for the second dose is dependent on this. Errors in entry & non-registration: Moreover, with the increase in vaccination speed, errors in data entry, and technical glitches meant that individuals have received certificates with mistakes in date or names. Incidents of receiving multiple certificates as well as not being registered for the first dose in spite of having taken it were also reported from across the country. According to another report in The New Indian Express, from March 2021, at least 20% of the vaccinated in Kerala had failed to register because of a glitch in the Co-WIN portal. Those who do not register in the portal do not get the vaccine certificate and hence may not be eligible for the second dose. The registration on the portal is vital as it helps keep track of vaccination status and related statistics. Further, progress in vaccination is one of the criteria for vaccine allocation by the centre to the states. In June 2021, the government announced that one can make corrections to the name, year of birth and gender on the vaccination certificates if inadvertent errors had come in. Merging two first doses: Since the mobile number is used as the primary identifier for registration on the Co-WIN portal, there have been cases where individuals have registered using two different mobile numbers during the two doses and ended up receiving two certificates but both for the first dose. In June 2021, the government has enabled merging of doses based on ID credentials in case people have got the 2 doses with different phone numbers. The two first dose vaccination certificates that a fully vaccinated individual receives, should be merged to get the final certificate of vaccination. Issues have also been reported in the merging process because of spellings errors and others. Vaccine through the backdoor: Besides the issues mentioned above, there are individuals who took the first dose through the backdoor illegally when the vaccination was not open for his/her age group. Registration & slot booking for the second dose is an issue for such individuals who got their first dose ‘illegally’ with connivance of staff at government hospitals, primary health centres, and other vaccination centres as their first dose is not entered in the online database. Even though they can get the second dose similarly, they still may not get a certificate as their details are not registered. Factly filed an RTI to know if there are provisions for direct registration of 2nd Dose in Co-WIN portal Following such media reports, Factly filed a Right to Information application (RTI) with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) to find out if there are individuals who registered directly for the 2 dose on the Co-WIN portal without registering during their first dose. The following information was sought. We received the response with the relevant data up to 19 July 2021. When is direct registration for the second dose allowed? We could not find any information in the public domain about the conditions or scenarios in which direct registration for the second dose is allowed.