At 90, his advice — Nothing to be scared of, take the jab

Naina Mishra

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 1

Om Prakash Sharma (90) sat fearlessly on the chair as health workers inoculated him with the Covid vaccine. He sat unwearyingly for half an hour after the jab as he was advised by doctors at Government Multi-Specialty Hospital, Sector 16.

“I am following the advice of Dr Randeep Guleria, AIIMS Director. He held an open talk to address the concerns of the public. I am feeling normal after the vaccination and there is nothing to be scared of. I am putting up alone and take care of myself,” said Sharma, who has no comorbid condition. “Every citizen of the country should get vaccinated,” he added.

Senior citizens of the tricity lead by example by voluntarily turning up at healthcare facilities for receiving the jab today. This lot was enthusiastic about the vaccine unlike the hesitancy witnessed among healthcare and frontline workers.

Satnam Singh (70) said he was shocked to learn that around 60 per cent of the healthcare workers did not come forward for the vaccination. “It is our moral responsibility to get vaccinated as the nation is dealing with the pandemic. By taking this vaccine, I will attain immunity against the disease. I am responsible for my safety; everyone must understand this and come forward for the vaccination. I shot videos of the programme and plan to show these to people in my locality and urge them to get vaccinated.”

Rajesh Handa (75) said she came on her own to get vaccinated after she read about in newspapers that the programme for the elderly would take off on March 1. Asked what propelled her to take the vaccine, she said, “To be safe”.

“Everyone should take the vaccine so that the country can get rid of this deadly disease. Covid-19 fear is for real and cases have started increasing in Chandigarh too,” she said.

“Prevention is better than cure,” said Raghbir Singh (82), who was accompanied by his wife to receive the jab at the Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32. The couple had worn a face shield and mask to stay protected.

Singh said he hadn’t planned to get the vaccine so early, but came after his wife insisted on getting the jab on the first day without any delay.

“This vaccine will protect us from the deadly disease. Besides, we will not be carriers of the infection,” said Shamsher Kaur, his wife.

Satinderjit Singh Gill (64) from Mohali said there were no proper signboards at the hospital for the people to guide them to the vaccination zone on the third floor. However, he was satisfied with the arrangements made by the health authorities. His mother Joginder Kaur Gill (84) said she wanted to avail of the facility of getting vaccinated to protect her life from the pandemic.

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