‘Let Us Make India COVID-19 Free’, Says PM Modi After Taking First Shot Of Coronavirus Vaccine

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the COVID-19 vaccine shot on Monday (March 1) morning at Delhi’s AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences). PM Modi became the first beneficiary to get vaccinated in the second phase of India’s Coronavirus vaccination drive. With this, PM Modi paved way for other eligible beneficiaries to get vaccinated and addressed vaccine hesitancy by taking a shot of the indigenous COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin developed by Bharat Biotech and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

Also Read: “COVID-19 Pandemic Has Taught Us An Important Lesson,” Says Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Sharing the news on social media, PM Modi tweeted a picture of him getting vaccinated and captioned it as, “Took my first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at AIIMS. Remarkable how our doctors and scientists have worked in quick time to strengthen the global fight against COVID-19.”

PM Modi also urged other eligible beneficiaries to take their jab in the second phase starting today. He wrote, “I appeal to all those who are eligible to take the vaccine. Together, let us make India COVID-19 free!”

Took my first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at AIIMS.

Remarkable how our doctors and scientists have worked in quick time to strengthen the global fight against COVID-19.

I appeal to all those who are eligible to take the vaccine. Together, let us make India COVID-19 free! pic.twitter.com/5z5cvAoMrv

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 1, 2021

Also Read: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Lauds Country’s COVID-19 Vaccination Efforts

PM Modi Receives Praises From Healthcare Workers, Ministers For Getting Vaccinated Against COVID-19

AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria believes that PM Modi’s move to get vaccinated on the first day of the second phase of the drive should eliminate vaccine hesitancy.

The Prime Minister taking the jab on the very first day would instill confidence among the public and remove any hesitancy and doubts that they might have about the vaccine. People should come forward to get themselves inoculated and get India rid of the disease, Dr Guleria told news agency PTI.

The AIIMS director also informed the reporters that PM Modi took the shot at around 6.30 AM after which he was kept under observation for half-and-hour as per protocol, after which he left.

Also Read: No Glitches, COVID-19 Vaccine Registration Only On Co-WIN Portal, Arogya Setu App: Empowered Group Chairman

Union Health and Family Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan also feels that the PM’s initiative would help people trust the vaccines being administered in India. Talking to news agency ANI, Dr Vardhan said,

I have been saying from the beginning that both our vaccines are safe and perfect as far as immunogenicity is concerned. We are thankful to Prime Minister, he has always told us that you have to lead by example. He took the jab first when the vaccination of people above 60 years has begun. Prime Minister Modi took Covaxin, against which a lot of misinformation was spread even when it was scientifically perfect. I think the Prime Minister has given a clear message to the country. All misinformation and hesitancy should be buried once and for all.

Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Biotech International Limited, Krishna Ella also hailed the Prime Minister for taking the vaccine on the first day. Mr Ella also expressed gratitude to him for reposing trust in Covaxin. Thanking PM Modi, Mr Ella said,

This has set a powerful example for all Indians to follow, which will go a long way in reducing vaccine hesitancy and building confidence in immunisation against the ongoing pandemic. We urge all fellow citizens to not hesitate from taking part in the COVID-19 immunisation programme so that the country can bring an end to this public health crisis, as quoted by PTI.

Also Read: Ministers Lead By Example, Take Vaccine Shots As India Begins Phase 2 Of COVID Vaccination

Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa and his cabinet colleagues including Deputy Chief Minister Dr C N Ashwath Narayan and Health Minister K Sudhakar also hailed the Prime Minister for leading the nation in the COVID-19 vaccination drive by taking the first dose. They called upon people to join in the fight against coronavirus.

PM @narendramodi Ji got the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine this morning. My appeal to all Corona warriors who are yet to get the vaccine and all those eligible for 2nd phase to take the vaccine.

Let us make India & Karnataka Covid-19 free. https://t.co/wB2egKQPB6

— B.S. Yediyurappa (@BSYBJP) March 1, 2021

Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Ashwini Kumar Choubey also believes that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s COVID-19 vaccination will inspire other people across the country to get themselves vaccinated.

मा.PM श्री @narendramodi जी हमेशा देशवासियों को प्रेरणा व प्रोत्साहित करने का कार्य करते हैं। जिस सरलता, सहजता से अपनी बारी आने पर वैक्सीन की पहली खुराक ली, इससे देश में उत्साह का माहौल व ऊर्जा का संचार हुआ है। 60 साल व 45 के ऊपर जो गंभीर बीमारी से ग्रसित हैं, वे टीका जरूर लें। pic.twitter.com/2cUj338Old

— Ashwini Kr. Choubey (@AshwiniKChoubey) March 1, 2021

Also Read: Who All Above The Age Of 45 Are Eligible For COVID-19 Vaccine? Here’s All You Need To Know

India’s Coronavirus Vaccination Drive

India’s COVID vaccine drive, which according to the government is the world’s largest vaccination programme, was launched on January 16 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 10:30 AM, setting off India on the path towards overcoming the pandemic. In the first phase of the drive, India aimed to inoculate 3 crore healthcare and frontline workers but due to vaccine hesitancy, it has been able to administer over 1.43 crore vaccinate doses (as on March 1, 8 AM).

The second phase of the vaccination drive began on March 1 at 9 AM and the government hopes to vaccinate 30 crore people by August. The second phase of the drive will cover people over 60 and people above the age of 45 with comorbidities. The centre has specified 20 comorbidities among people between 45 and 59 years who will get the vaccine. For example, heart failure with hospital admission in the past year. Individuals with comorbidities will have to provide a doctor’s prescription confirming the disease.

Also Read: COVID-19 Vaccines And Dosage: WHO’s Soumya Swaminathan Answers FAQs On Vaccines

The COVID-19 vaccine will be given for free at government hospitals, while people will need to pay for it at private facilities. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has also released a user manual detailing the process of self-registration.

India has given emergency use license to two COVID-19 vaccines – Oxford-AstraZeneca’s Covishield which is being manufactured by Serum Institute of India in Pune and Bharat Biotech-ICMR’s Covaxin.

Also Read: Doctors Welcome Second Phase Of COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign Scheduled To Begin From March 1

NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene.