New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday took the first dose of COVID-19 vaccination at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here to kick-start India’s second phase of the immunisation drive.
Modi shared a picture of himself being administered the vaccine by two healthcare workers and tweeted, “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 appealed to the eligible population to take the vaccine.
Modi reached AIIMS around 0625 hrs. A statement from his office said he chose to take the shot early and was taken to AIIMS without any special route restrictions to avoid any inconvenience to the people.
He was administered the home-grown Covaxin developed by Bharat Biotech and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) as India entered its second phase of inoculation for people over 60 and those above 45 with comorbidities.
India entered its second phase of COVID-19 immunisation today. People above 60 years and 45 years with co-morbidities will be administered vaccination from today onwards.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also took the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, officials said.
Doctors from the Medanta hospital administered the vaccine to Shah, a Home Ministry official said.
On August 2 last year, Shah, 56, had said on Twitter that he tested positive for COVID-19. He underwent treatment at Medanta Hospital and was discharged after he tested negative for the virus.
He was later admitted to the AIIMS for post-COVID treatment.
The Union health ministry has announced that those willing to get vaccinated can book appointments from 0900 to 1500 hrs. The cap on a single vaccine at private hospitals has been fixed at Rs 250.
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.
The Centre on Saturday pushed for an aggressive vaccination drive in states with a higher number of cases— Maharashtra, Punjab, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Telangana, and Jammu & Kashmir.
