India's coronavirus vaccination drive: AIIMS Director Randeep Guleria gets inoculated
What's the story
Dr. Randeep Guleria, the Director of New Delhi's prestigious All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), on Saturday received a vaccine shot against the novel coronavirus on live television, soon after India kicked off its massive inoculating drive to end the raging pandemic. The healthcare and frontline workers are the first in line to get the doses. Here are more details.
Details
A sanitation worker from AIIMS was vaccinated first
Earlier in the day, Manish Kumar, a sanitation worker at AIIMS became the first person in India to be vaccinated against COVID-19. He received the injection in the presence of Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan. "I am very happy and satisfied today. We have been fighting against coronavirus in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership for the last one year," Vardhan said today.
Twitter Post
You can watch the video here
#WATCH | AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria receives COVID-19 vaccine shot at AIIMS, Delhi. pic.twitter.com/GFvZ2lgfj3
— ANI (@ANI) January 16, 2021
Launch
PM Modi launched the country's vaccination drive
To note, the world's largest coronavirus vaccination program was virtually launched by PM Modi today. He also paid heartfelt tributes to those who died in the line of duty. Coming up with a new motto - "Dawai bhi, Kadai bhi (Vaccine as well as discipline)," the PM warned citizens that even after the vaccination, they must follow precautions, like wearing masks and maintaining distancing.
Quote
'India's vaccines will give decisive victory to our country'
"The DCGI (drug regulator) gave approval after they were satisfied with the data of the two vaccines (Covishield and COVAXIN). So stay away from rumors," PM Modi said, adding that the vaccines will give "decisive victory to our country."
Drive
Three lakh set to be vaccinated today
On the first day of the vaccination drive, nearly three lakh healthcare workers will receive the vaccine shot. Over 3,000 sites across all states and union territories have been identified for the purpose, implying that nearly 100 people will be vaccinated at each session site. PM Modi urged people to not miss the second dose. The doses would be administered 28 days apart.