IRDAI has asked all insurance companies to help in vaccination of policyholders who are eligible to take the vaccine (citizens above age 60 and those of age 45 and above with comorbidities).
While the government is conducting special awareness drives about vaccination, it has requested insurance companies to support them in spreading awareness so that maximum people can avail the vaccine.
“All the insurers are requested to join this national effort. They are requested to make special arrangements to facilitate eligible category among their policyholders to get vaccinated as a group or individually either at a government facility or private facilities as per the option of the policyholders,” said IRDAI in a letter to all insurance companies.
The regulator has suggested insurers to create awareness among policyholders through SMS or email. Also, it has asked insurance companies to assist customers in pre booking slots for vaccination.
"First, insurers may create awareness about vaccination among the policyholders through effective communication via SMS or email. Secondly, they may assist the policyholder as a group to get vaccinated in an orderly manner by assisting them and making advance arrangement through pre booking slots. Thirdly, the policyholders may be reminded for the 2nd shot of vaccine in time,” said IRDAI.
Further, insurance companies can make arrangements for vaccination of their employees and agents.
Vaccine is available at free of cost for people who visit government hospitals while they are charged a specified rate at designated private hospitals.