PGI gives first dose of Oxford Covid vaccine to 3

Naina Mishra

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 25

The PGI today administered the first dose of the Oxford Covid-19 vaccine, Covishield, to three candidates.

A 57-year-old woman, a 33-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman are the three volunteers. Once the vaccine was administered, the trial participants were monitored for half an hour and then sent home. There will be a regular follow-up for the next six months.

A source privy to the development confirmed that the candidates would be monitored for 28 days after a 0.5 ml dose of the vaccine. After that, the second dose will be given followed by monitoring for another 28 days. Thereafter, their blood samples will be taken and they will be observed for six months.

The candidates have been asked to note any development of symptoms like fever in their personal dairy. The institute has screened a total of 18 candidates till now.

PGI Director Jagat Ram said, “The institute administered the first dose of vaccine to three candidates, who fulfilled the eligibility conditions. The contact numbers of a physician has been provided to them, in case they encounter any problem. The institute will do a regular follow-up.”