PM Narendra Modi takes first dose of COVID-19 vaccine at AIIMS

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a Covid shot of the home-grown Covaxin developed by Bharat Biotech and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) this morning at Delhi’s AIIMS hospital, becoming the first beneficiary in the second phase of nationwide vaccination against the coronavirus.

PM Modi praised scientists and doctors across the globe for showing strength against coronavirus. He also appealed to people to get vaccinated against coronavirus. “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!” he tweeted with a picture of him receiving the shot.

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He is seen sporting an Assamese ‘gamchha’, which is symbolic of the blessings of women from the state. Sister Niveda and a second nurse from Kerala can be seen in the picture posted by Modi. The PM’s vaccination was replete with symbols from states where elections will be held in March-April; he wore a gamchha or scarf from Assam and nurses from Kerala and Puducherry – Rosamma Anil and P Niveda – administered the dose. The scarf “is symbolic of blessings of women from Assam”, officials said. The Prime Minister has been seen wearing it on many occasions.

In the first phase, 1.43 crore doses of Covishield and Covaxin vaccines were administered to two priority groups: healthcare and frontline workers. While the second phase of vaccination comes at a time when India’s active Covid cases are under control, eight states — Kerala, Maharashtra, Punjab, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Jammu & Kashmir and Madhya Pradesh — have been a cause of concern, reporting an uptick in daily cases in the last two weeks.

Citizens will be able to register and book an appointment for vaccination, anytime and anywhere, using the Co-WIN 2.0 portal or through other IT applications such as Aarogya Setu. From March 1, the slots will be open from 9 am till 3 pm, and the appointments can be booked anytime before 3 pm, subject to availability.