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Covid-19 vaccination drive: After taking the first shot, here's what corona warriors said
A sense of joy and excitement was witnessed at vaccination centres across states as Corona Warriors queued up for their first jab as the PM launched India's vaccination drive against the Covid-19. Here's a quick glimpse at the historic moment.
India's Covid-19 vaccination drive was launched today, paving for the vaccines' roll-out (PTI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the world's biggest Covid-19 vaccination drive on Saturday amid the euphoria and celebrations across the country.
PM Modi said a vaccination drive at such a massive scale was never conducted before in history. "India is administering vaccines to 3 crore people in the first phase. In the second phase, we will take this number to 30 crore," he said.
Meanwhile, a sense of joy and excitement were witnessed at vaccination centres across states as Corona warriors queued up for their first jab. Here's a quick glimpse at the historic moment.
DELHI
Manish Kumar, a sanitation worker at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), was the first to be vaccinated at the premier institute.
"I'm feeling fine. There are no side effects. My fears are gone. Looking at me, my colleagues should feel the need to take the shot," said the 34-year-old.
He further said, "A schedule arrived, and many people were saying many things about the vaccine. I went voluntarily and said, 'Sir, I want to take the shot. If I get it, those around me will feel confident.' I'm happy I was the first. Everyone should get both doses. That's how the country will fight against coronavirus."
Manish Kumar, a sanitation worker at AIIMS, was the first to be vaccinated at the premier institute. (PTI)
AIIMS director Dr Randeep Guleria, who also got vaccinated, reassured everyone on the safety and efficacy of the vaccine.
Dr Pragya Shukla was the first doctor to get vaccinated at the Delhi State Cancer Institute. She was administered with Covishield.
"I am feeling normal after half an hour of observation. There nothing is wrong in taking the vaccine. I am thankful to the government of India for making us their priority. Healthcare workers have toiled hard. Now, my staff will also feel confident to take the vaccine," she said.
AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria receives COVID-19 vaccine shot at AIIMS, Delhi. #Watch
Nursing officer Biji Tony, 48, got the first jab at Delhi's LNJP Hospital, the Capital's biggest Covid-19 facility. She has been working at the hospital for almost 16 years now.
MUMBAI
Mumbai was among the worst to be affected by coronavirus. At the city's Cooper Hospital vaccination centre, India Today spoke to Dr Jiten Bhavsar who was the first person to get the Covid-19 vaccine shot. Jiten was vaccinated with Covishield.
The senior medical officer at Cooper Hospital said, "Last eight months have been very difficult. We have gone through a lot of stress. Many of our colleagues have been affected due to Covid-19."
After getting vaccinated, Bhavsar said, "It is a very big and proud day for us. Both vaccines are absolutely safe. It is just like any other normal vaccine. Please do not hesitate to take them."
LUCKNOW
Sharing his experience with India Today TV, Arun Kumar Shrivastava, the first beneficiary of Covishield at Lucknow's Lohia Hospital, said he is absolutely fine.
A father of three, the 51-year-old account officer has been working at the institute since 2008. Shrivastava said his name came in the first 50 list of beneficiaries.
Arun Kumar Shrivastava at Lucknow's Lohia Hospital on Saturday (Photo Credits: India Today)
Shrivastava said his wife was apprehensive about him taking the vaccine but he convinced her by saying that he trusts the medical system of the nation.
He also said he was very confident of taking the first shot and was waiting for this moment for a long time. Shrivastava said he wasn't nervous at all and have faith in the vaccine. "A lot of health workers have risked their lives for this and I encourage all to participate," he said.
KOLKATA
Dr Bipasha Sett (56) is posted at the ICU of Kolkata's AMRI Hospitals for the last 10 months. She was the first person to get the shot at this private hospital in Kolkata.
With tears in her eyes and accompanied by her husband, she said, "Today I am very hopeful that a lot of lives can be saved now because over 10 months, I have seen many deaths. I am feeling perfectly fine after getting vaccinated. It's just like any other vaccine."
Dr Bipasha Sett and her husband after getting the Covid-19 vaccine in Kolkata on Saturday (Photo Credits: India Today)
She described the challenges of surviving the Covid phase while working at the ICU. "My family is much relieved because I was at risk of contracting Covid. My children were very worried. I used to go through an elaborate sanitisation process after returning home every day. It was tough to see people dying and be emotionally intact while fighting the battle."
CHENNAI
Thenari Rajan, dean of Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, was the first to be vaccinated in Chennai.
He described the process as painless. "I took the first shot to boost confidence among people," the dean said.
Dean of Chennai's Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Thenari Rajan getting the jab on Saturday (Photo Credits: India Today)
Dr Priyanka, a resident doctor at the same hospital, also received a jab. She said, "I was a bit anxious and scared as too many people were watching me. It was a smooth experience. I wanted to take the shot as I have been working for months in Covid wards."
A total of 3,006 session sites across all states and union territories are vaccinating health workers.
Source - IndiaToday
