NEW DELHI (CU)_Early on March 1, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the first jab of COVAXIN, the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech, at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi.
“Took my first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at AIIMS,” the Prime Minister said on Twitter, along with a picture of himself getting a shot. “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 added.
It is reported that it was decided for the Prime Minister to receive the vaccine early morning in order to ensure that his visit to the AIIMS hospital did not cause inconvenience for Delhi commuters, since no special route was laid out for him.
Previously, at a meeting with the Chief Ministers on vaccine disbursal, PM Modi urged political leaders and legislators to allow healthcare and frontline workers to get the jab first, adding that the political leaders will get their turn when the vaccines are being administered to senior citizens aged above 50.
Last week, the Union government announced that people above 60 years of age and those over 45 with comorbidities could receive vaccines from March 1. In addition to COVAXIN, the Covishield vaccine, developed by AstraZeneca and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII), has received approval for emergency use in the country.
The shots are being administered for free in government hospitals, while they are also being sold at over 10,000 private hospitals at a fixed price of ₹250 or US$3.40, per shot.
