The carrier said it would start on Tuesday the process of firing 593 employees who decided not to get vaccinated. “This was an incredibly difficult decision but keeping our team safe has always been our first priority,” Chief Executive Scott Kirby and President Brett Hart told employees in a memo.

The workers can save their jobs if they get vaccinated before their formal termination meetings, the company officials said. United has received requests for vaccine exemption from employees for religious and medical reasons.

Those plans, however, have been put on hold until Oct.15 because of a lawsuit challenging the policy. Excluding those who have sought an exemption, United said more than 99% of U.S based employees have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

A company spokesperson said the airline plans to hire about 25,000 people over the next few years, and vaccination will be a condition of employment for all new hires.

United will also require students at its pilot training school to get vaccinated, the spokesperson said. The company dismissed the notion that the vaccine requirement was deterring applicants for jobs at the air carrier.

As many as 50 countries including Canada, Nigeria, Panama, and Uganda have shown interest in adopting the CoWin platform. Various health and technology from different countries are expected to participate in the event, which will be inaugurated by Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan.

Foreign secretary HV Shringla, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, and Dr. RS Sharma, the CEO of the National Health Secretary (NHA), are also expected to speak at the event.

The conclave aims to share India’s experience with regard to universal vaccination to fight COVID-19 through CoWin, the NHA said in a statement posted on its website.

The event, being organized in a joint initiative by the Union Minister of health, external affairs, and the NHA, aims to share India’s experience with regard to universal vaccination to fight against Covid-19 through CoWIN.

What is CoWIN?

The full form of CoWIN is Covid Vaccine Intelligence Work. It was introduced by the central government in January when the vaccination drive against Covid-19 began in the country. It is a website for beneficiaries and officials associated with vaccination process, there is different mobile application as well.

Key Features

The e-portal allows beneficiaries to book a vaccination slot. They can choose a day and time slot as per their preference. The beneficiaries can register at the website with their phone number. They will then receive an OTP to be entered in the required field. The beneficiary will then be asked to enter Aadhaar details and can move forward to book their vaccination. It also allows the user to add four family members in their profile and book slots for them as well.

The official Twitter handle of IndiGo airlines tweeted on Wednesday: “Got vaccinated? Grab this exclusive offer!”

An airline spokesperson said that: “Passengers who have availed the offer at the time of booking shall be required to furnish a valid Covid-19 vaccination certificate, issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. Alternately, they can display their vaccination status on the Aarogya Setu mobile application at the airport check-in counter/boarding gate.”

Chief strategy and revenue officer of Indigo, Sanjay Kumar said that the aim behind launching this offer is to motivate more to get vaccinated and contribute towards a common national goal. “This offer will not only strengthen their resolve towards vaccination but also ensure that they can travel safely at affordable fares with IndiGo. We are committed to offering an on-time, hassle-free travel experience to our customers, on-board our lean, clean flying machine,” said the officer.

To know more about this offer, click here.

The statement comes on the same day when the Centre began a free COVID-19 vaccination policy in the country, under which the Centre will provide free COVID-19 vaccine to all citizens above 18 years of age.

Union Home Minister, while addressing the media, also stated that it is important to receive both doses of vaccine and urged all the citizens to come forward to get vaccinated to protect themselves from the coronavirus infection.

Shah addressed the media during his visit to the COVID care centre at Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Centre in Ahemdabad today and said, “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a new chapter is starting from today in the battle against COVID-19, across the country. The PM had made an important decision that from June 21 people who are 18 years of age and above will be vaccinated free of cost by the Central Government and the process of vaccination will be sped up.”

“In a densely populated country like India, vaccinating all above 18 years of age free of cost is a big decision in itself and it has started on the occasion of Yoga Day. I am hopeful that this will not only help all the citizens but succeed in fighting this battle against COVID-19,” said the Union Home Minister.

He further said, “Among all the vaccination drives going on around the world, India was already ranked at the top in vaccination per 10 lakh people. And now, we will nearly reach our aim of vaccinating all the citizens. The Government of India has made arrangements to speed up the process of vaccination in July and August.”

“I believe that the Government of India`s decision of shielding every citizen against COVID-19 will bring relief to every citizen. I urge all the citizens of the country to get vaccinated,” said Shah.

He added, “Those who have already received the first dose of the vaccine and as per government guidelines their time duration between the two doses is over, they should also get their second dose. Only after receiving two doses, we will get complete protection against the virus.”

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister, accompanied by Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel, also inaugurated the Vaishno Devi bridge and Gandhinagar Khodiyar bridge.