Modi takes first dose as age-specific Covid vaccine drive begins

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 1

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first person to receive the indigenous Covid vaccine Covaxin on Monday as India began age-specific inoculation drive after first administering doses to health-care and frontline workers.

The PM tweeted after getting the vaccine, “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!”

Meanwhile, more than 1 million have registered on cowin.gov.in till 1 pm today.

Also read: ‘Laga bhi diya aur pata bhi nahin chala’, says Modi after getting Covid vaccine

Prominent leaders take COVID vaccine with start of next phase

P Niveda from Puducherry administered Covaxin (made by Bharat BioTech) to Modi.

As the PM arrived at AIIMS to take the vaccine, he was seen wearing the traditional ‘gamcha’ of Assam, which is symbolic of blessings of women from Assam.

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

He has been seen wearing it on many occasions.

The second nurse who attended to the PM as part of the vaccination team was from Kerala, Rosamma Anil.

The Health Ministry said several other ministers and MPs could also get vaccinated in the current phase that starts with registrations opening at 9 am on Monday.

Ministers earlier indicated that they would want to pay for the vaccine.

In the second phase, vaccine would be administered free at government facilities and for Rs 250 a dose at private hospitals.

The government is hoping to speed up vaccination drive as daily new cases continue to rise.

Active cases have now risen for most of past week with fears of a looming second wave.

Early and widespread inoculation can offset a second surge, say experts but vaccine acceptance remains low with just around 60 per cent even among health-care and frontline workers who were covered in phase one.