India has officially started the COVID-19 vaccinations and the drive started with Manish Kumar, a health worker from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences(AIIMS). 

The drive is going to prioritise vaccinations for healthcare and frontline workers via more than 3,000 sites across the country. 

“I have had a very good experience. Have no qualms in taking the vaccine, and by doing so, I continue to serve my country. People have absolutely no need to worry over this. Any fear that I had before, has now gone away. I believe everyone should get vaccinated “ said Manish Kumar after getting the vaccine.  

© Twitter/ANI

The launch of the rollout began from 10:30 AM today and will work similarly to how elections are administered in the country. 

Health workers will be armed with three hard copies of a beneficiary list and upload date to India’s official Co-Win portal. 

Currently, the vaccinations are only being administered to individuals above the age of 18 and the world’s biggest inoculation drive against the novel virus is expected to be completed in the next few months.

#WATCH केंद्रीय स्वास्थ्य मंत्री डाॅ.हर्षवर्धन और एम्स के निदेशक रणदीप गुलेरिया की मौजूदगी में एम्स में एक सफाई कर्मचारी को कोरोना वायरस का पहला टीका लगाया गया। #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/ge9nmfmzqu

Videos of the first vaccination are now being shared online on Twitter as it was administered in the presence of Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan.  

This moment marked the start of COVID-19 vaccination in Delhi and represents the symbolic significance of paying homage to healthcare workers who have been at the frontline ever since the pandemic hit in the country.  

© Reuters

This marked the start of Covid-19 vaccination in Delhi with healthcare workers, who were at the forefront of the fight against the pandemic, getting the first shots.  

Soon after, doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers were vaccinated at AIIMS hospital.  

Additional doctors, nurses and healthcare workers will be given the vaccine later today at the LNJP Hospital in the presence of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.  

© Reuters

Doctors, nurses and healthcare workers were vaccinated at AIIMS hospital. A doctor, a nurse and a sanitation worker will be given the shot later in the day in the presence of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at LNJP Hospital according to sources.  

In Delhi, the vaccination exercise will span across 81 sites and 11 districts at six government hospitals i.e. AIIMS, Safdarjung Hospital, RML Hospital, Kalawati Saran Children Hospital and two ESI hospitals.  

Private sites such as Max Hospital, Fortis Hospital, Apollo Hospital and Sir Ganga Ram Hospital are also taking part in the inoculation drive.  

If you want to know more about India’s plans for the first phase of vaccinations; you can read all about it here.

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