New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi took his first dose of COVID-19 vaccine on Monday morning from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here and appealed to all those who are eligible to get inoculated.
Sister P Niveda, from Puducherry, administered Bharat Biotech's COVAXIN to the prime minister, sources said.
"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," Modi tweeted after taking the vaccine shot.
"I appeal to all those who are eligible to take the vaccine. Together, let us make India COVID-19 free!" he said.
The prime minister also posted a picture of himself taking the first dose of the vaccine in which he is seen sporting a Assamese 'gamocha' and getting inoculated with a smile on his face.
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Nurses Niveda and Rosamma Anil, a Keralite, can be seen in the picture posted by Modi.
The prime minister went to AIIMS without any route restrictions and chose early morning hours to ensure there was no inconvenience to people, the sources said.
Nurse Niveda later told reporters that the prime minister, after being administered the vaccine shot, remarked "Laga bhi diya, pata bhi nahin chala (Already done? I didn't even feel it)."
Niveda said she has been working with AIIMS for three years now and is currently posted at the vaccine centre.
"We found out PM sir is coming for vaccination this morning. When I came here only then I got to know that sir is coming. It was really nice to meet sir," she said.
He has been administered the first dose of Bharat Biotech's COVAXIN and will need his second dose in 28 days, the nurse said.
"He talked with us, asked us from where we belong," she said.
Rosamma Anil said it was very nice to meet the prime minister and added that he was "very comfortable". She hails from Thodupuzha in Kerala's Idukki district.
The government had announced on Wednesday that everyone above 60 years of age and those over 45 years with comorbidities will be able to get COVID-19 vaccine from March 1 for free at government facilities and for a charge at many private hospitals.
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.
Government of India has supplied two COVID-19 vaccines, Covishield and Covaxin, free of cost to the states and UTs to vaccinate healthcare workers (HCWs) and frontline workers (FLWs) and they will also be able to cover the next priority group i.e. 60 years plus age group and the age group of 45 to 59 years suffering from pre-specified co-morbidities.
(With PTI inputs)
