Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan, wife get COVID-19 vaccine shot
Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan and his wife took the first dose of indigenously developed COVID-19 vaccine COVAXIN at the Delhi Heart and Lung Institute on Tuesday. Notably, India opened up vaccination for those over 60 years and within the age bracket of 45 to 59 years with specified co-morbidities from March 1.
The couple paid Rs. 250 per dose
The minister's wife Nutan Goel first took the jab after which Dr. Harsh Vardhan received the vaccine shot at the private facility. They paid Rs. 250 each for the vaccine jab. Completing the observation period of half-an-hour after taking the first dose of the vaccine, Dr. Harsh Vardhan addressed the media and appealed to eligible people to get vaccinated.
Did not face any kind of difficulty: Dr. Harsh Vardhan
"The observation time of half-an-hour is completed. Hospital authorities have informed me that I and my wife have been given COVAXIN. In the last half-an-hour, I and my wife did not face any kind of difficulty," he told reporters.
This vaccine will act as a sanjeevani: Dr. Harsh Vardhan
He urged all citizens above 60 years of age and citizens in the age bracket of 45-59 having specified co-morbidities to take the vaccine. Stating that the Indian Government has made the vaccine available for its citizens in thousands of private as well as government hospitals, Dr. Harsh Vardhan said that in the fight against COVID-19, this vaccine will act as a sanjeevani.
He urged people to observe vaccine-appropriate behavior
He asked the citizens to follow COVID-19-appropriate behavior and stressed the need for observing vaccine-appropriate behavior as well. "I urge the citizens of this nation to get the first dose of vaccine and after 28 days of it, get the second dose of vaccine. If someone develops any kind of side effects or faces difficulties, do not fear and inform your doctor," he said.
Don't harbor doubts about the vaccine: Dr. Harsh Vardhan
He told people not to have any doubts about the vaccine underlining no death has occurred till now due to the anti-coronavirus vaccination in the country. Dr. Harsh Vardhan said that if any death occurs a few days after receiving the jab, it cannot be linked to vaccination because each such death is being scientifically probed.
