NewsGate Press Network

By Vineet Dikshit

Earlier today, i.e. on Monday, 01-March-2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at AIIMS-Delhi and appealed to all those who are eligible to get inoculated at the first available opportunity.

AIIMS nurse 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!” the PM 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

Sister Niveda and a second nurse from Kerala can be seen in the picture posted by Modi

The prime minister went to AIIMS at 6.30 am without any arrangement of “traffic route restrictions” on the roads, thus choosing early morning to ensure that no inconvenience is caused to people, sources close to the PM said.

The Health Ministry had announced on 24 February, i.e. last Wednesday, that all citizens 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, now fized at Rs 250/- perr dose,  at many private hospitals across the country.

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.