As India continues to see surge in Covid-19 cases, with many states experiencing the second wave of infections, the Union Cabinet Tuesday decided to further open up the vaccination, making every person above the age of 45 years eligible for a vaccine shot from April 1.

From April 1, anyone above the age of 45 years can either register online or on the spot for vaccination.

Earlier, only senior citizens and people in the age group of 45-60 with specific comorbidities were eligible for Covid-19 vaccination.

“I appeal to every citizen who is 45 or above to register for vaccination. This decision has been taken by cabinet on the basis of the advice of the coronavirus Task Force and experts,” Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said.

India recorded 40,715 coronavirus cases in a day, taking the nationwide infection tally to 1,16,86,796, while the active caseload at 3,45,377 registered an increase for the 13th day in a row, the Union health ministry said on Tuesday.

Vaccination drive in India rolled out with two vaccines – Covishield and Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin — on January 16 with healthcare workers. Frontline workers were declared eligible for the shots February 2 onwards.

The COVID-19 death toll of the country increased to 1,60,166, with 199 daily new fatalities, it said.  The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 1,11,81,253, while the case fatality rate has further dropped to 1.37%, the data stated.