Coronavirus Vaccine India updates: 10,500 people receive jab in Gujarat, around 6,000 didn't turn up, say authorities

Over 1,500 healthcare workers administered vaccine on first day in Himachal Pradesh

Administering anti-coronavirus vaccines to healthcare workers began in Himachal Pradesh as Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur launched the inoculation drive at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) on Saturday. Hardeep Singh, a sanitation worker, was the first person in the state to be administered a shot.

After him, IGMC senior medical superintendent Janak Raj got vaccinated. A total of 1,536 healthcare workers were vaccinated on Saturday for COVID-19 in the state, special secretary health Nipun Jindal said. Jinda said that the target was 2,499 and the percentage coverage is 61.46 percent.

'When will poor get free COVID vaccine,' asks Akhilesh Yadav

As the coronavirus vaccine was launched on Saturday, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav sought to know from the government how the drive will be conducted and when the underpriviledged sections will get the shot free of cost.  

The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said he has faith in doctors of the country but not the government. He also suggested that the BJP people should first line up in queues and get themselves vaccinated as the party conducts all programmes in a grand manner.

"After one year, when the SP will come to power, we will ensure free vaccine for all, he said while asking from the government when the poor will get free vaccines.  

Ten students test COVID-19 positive at girls' school in Madhya Pradesh

At least 10 girl students of a government-run school have tested positive for coronavirus infection in Madhya Pradesh's Betul district. The local administration has decided to shut the school for a week, after the infections were detected among Class 12 students.

Swab samples of 10 students from Government Girls Excellence School in Shahpur were collected for testing on 13 January, school principal Virendra Namdeo said. The reports of these students came out positive for the infection on Saturday, he said, adding that reports of 25 more students are awaited.

10,500 people receive jab in Gujarat; around 6,000 beneficiaries didn't turn up

Day one of the COVID-19 inoculation drive went smoothly in Gujarat on Saturday with around 10,500 healthcare workers — against expected 16,000 — receiving the vaccine dose. "Reports are coming in from different centres, and it has been good everywhere, without any problem," said Dr Nayan Jani, state immunization officer.

Over 16,000 persons were scheduled to receive the jab during the day, but some beneficiaries did not turn up, he said. The drive was conducted at 161 centres.

Health ministry says delay reported in uploading beneficiaries' list on CoWIN in some sites

Listing issues faced by personnel on-ground regarding the Centre's CoWIN app, Additional Health Secretary M Agnani said that in some sites, there was a delay in uploading the beneficiaries' list on the CoWIN app.

1.65 lakh beneficiaries vaccinated across 3,351 sites today: Centre

The Health Ministry said that provisional data on Saturday evening showed that 1,65,714 beneficiaries were vaccinated at 3,351 sites across the country on the first day of the COVID-19 vaccination drive. In a press briefing, Additional Health Secretary M Agnani added that 16,755 personnel were involved in the drive.

No case of post-vaccination hospitalisation so far, says Centre after Day 1

The Union health ministry held a press conference at the end of day one of the countrywide vaccination drive and said that no case of post-vaccination hospitalisation was reported till 7 pm on Saturday.

'Small section' of people spreading rumours about vaccines: Harsh Vardhan

Harsh Vardhan appealed to state health ministers to dispel rumours about the vaccines.

He added, "There's a small section that is spreading rumours about vaccines, their utility, their safety, to mislead the people in society. But such a large number of people received vaccines today with great joy and enthusiasm, eminent doctors received the vaccine."

Harsh Vardhan speaks to states, UTs over inoculation drive

Union health minister Harsh Vardhan held a video conference with the health ministers of all states and Union territories on Saturday evening, as the first day of the vaccination drive got underway across the country.

Stating that India had hit several milestones of success in the fight against COVID-19, Vardhan said, "Today is perhaps the day of tremendous relief for all of us in the past one year. Data in last 3-4 months, our recovery and fatality rate indicate that we were gradually heading towards victory against COVID-19."

Centre says 116 people infected with UK-variant of COVID-19 in India

The number of people who have tested positive for the new UK variant of SARS-CoV-2 in the country has climbed to 116, the Union Health Ministry said on Saturday. "The total number of persons found infected with the new UK variant genome is 116," the ministry said.

All these people have been kept in single-room isolation in designated healthcare facilities by respective state governments, the ministry earlier had said.

"Their close contacts have also been put under quarantine. Comprehensive contact tracing has been initiated for co-travellers, family contacts and others. Genome sequencing on other specimens is going on," the ministry said.

COVID-19 vaccine administered at over 100 sites in Punjab, Haryana

Senior doctors and other healthcare workers were administered coronavirus vaccine at over 100 sites in Punjab and Haryana on Saturday. Authorities had earmarked 59 sites in Punjab and 77 in Haryana for the drive.

Senior doctors received the first shot of the vaccine at many locations to build confidence and dispel any apprehensions about the vaccine.  Punjab and Haryana had received 2.04 lakh and 2.41 lakh doses of the vaccine, respectively.  

Sanitation worker becomes first to get COVID-19 vaccine in Ladakh

A sanitation worker was the first person to be administered the COVID-19 vaccine in Ladakh, which has recorded 128 COVID-19 deaths and a total caseload of 9,646 since the outbreak of the pandemic.

Skalzang Chodon, a safai karamchari, hailing from Skidmang village of Nyoma block, took the first jab at Heart Foundation Hospital shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the world's biggest drive against coronavirus.

Kejriwal, Adityanath caution people against rumours, say vaccines are safe

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal was among the politicians and leaders who urged people not to believe in rumours around the COVID-19 vaccines approved for emergency use in India. A massive vaccination drive began across the country on Saturday, and around three lakh healthcare workers were set to get the jabs.

Kejriwal visited the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan (LNJP) Hospital in Delhi and spoke to health workers who had received the shot. "I have interacted with those vaccinated. No one has any problem. All are happy that they will get rid of coronavirus," he said. "I want to say to all not to pay attention to rumours and misinformation. The experts say vaccines are safe and there is no need to worry."

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath also spoke to people who had received the vaccine and warned against believing rumours. "Today is a day of immense happiness and excitement. India is the first country which has launched two vaccines," he said.

Doctors' association at Delhi's RMLH hospital says 'apprehensive' about COVAXIN

The Resident Doctors' Association (RDA) of the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Delhi requested the medical superintendent to vaccinate them with the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine Covishield.

In a letter to the medical superintendent, the association said the resident doctors were "a bit apprehensive" about Bharat Biotech's Covaxin and might not participate in the immunisation drive in large numbers, thus defeating the purpose of the exercise which began in the country on Saturday.

"We have come to know that the COVID-19 vaccination drive is being conducted by the hospital today. Covaxin manufactured by Bharat Biotech is being preferred in our hospital over Covishield manufactured by Serum Institute.The residents are a bit apprehensive about the lack of complete trial in case of Covaxin and might not participate in huge numbers thus defeating the purpose of vaccination. We request you to vaccinate us with Covishield which has completed all stages of trial before its roll-out," the letter stated.

Bharat Biotech to pay compensation if Covaxin causes side effects

Bharat Biotech, which has received a government purchase order for supply of 55 lakh doses of Covaxin, a COVID-19 vaccine, said the company will pay compensation to recipients in case of any serious adverse effects experienced after receiving the antidote.

A consent form to be signed by the vaccine recipients said, "In case of any adverse events or serious adverse events, you will be provided medically recognised standard of care in the government designated and authorised centres and hospitals."

"The compensation for serious adverse event will be paid by sponsor (BBIL) in case if the SAE is proven to be causally related to the vaccine," the form said.

Maharashtra needs 7.5 lakh more vaccine doses, says state govt

Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope said the state has received 10 lakh vaccine doses, or 60 percent of the stock allotted to it, so far and the remaining doses will be available in the next 10 days.

Speaking to reporters after attending the vaccination drive in Jalna, Tope said at least 8 lakh health workers have registered for this programme, and for this, the state needs 7.5 lakh additional doses of the vaccine.

"Although the state has received 60 percent to the vaccine stock it needs, the remaining consignment will be made available in the next 10 days," the minister said. "Maharashtra needs 17.50 lakh doses of the coronavirus vaccine, as 8 lakh health workers have registered for the programme on CoWIN application. We have received 10 lakh doses and we still need 7.5 lakh more."

Manish Tewari, Harsh Vardhan spar over inoculation drive

Amit Shah says inoculation drive is beginning of 'self-reliant' India

In a series of tweets on Saturday, Union home minister Amit Shah lauded scientists and 'COVID-19 warriors' and said, "India is one of the few countries which has won the direction to end the biggest crisis against humanity."

"This 'Made in India' vaccine represents the determination of self-reliant India. On this historic day, I bow to all our Corona warriors," he added.

Listen to experts, not rumours about vaccine: Kejriwal

While inspecting the vaccination drive underway at Delhi's LNJP Hospital, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said experts have said the vaccine against COVID-19 is safe and people should not pay heed to rumours.

He further said 8,100 people will get vaccination at 81 centres in the National Capital.

Hospital workers gets first vaccine dose in Goa

A hospital worker became the first person in Goa to receive the coronavirus vaccine on Saturday, health officials said.

Ranganath Bhojje, a worker at the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) near here, was the first to receive the vaccine dose in the coastal state, an official said.

The vaccination drive began in the morning at seven different centres, including two private hospitals, in the state.

Union minister Prakash Javadekar and Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant were present at the GMCH when Bhojje was given the dose. Ninety nine others will also get the dose at this facility on Saturday.

PTI

'Entire country is proud of PM's leadership', says Harsh Vardhan

The health minister posted a tweet lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his leadership in the battle against COVID-19.

Vaccination drive begins at 285 centres in Maharashtra

The COVID-19 vaccination drive began in Maharashtra on Saturday along with the rest of the country.

Dr Ranjit Mankeshwar, Dean, JJ Hospital, in Mumbai and Dr Padmaja Saraf were among the first beneficiaries to receive the vaccine shots in Mumbai and at Jalna civil hospital, respectively.

The inoculation drive is taking place at 285 centres in Maharashtra where 100 healthcare workers will be administered the shots in a day, and cover 28,500 workers, an official said.

The state has received 9.63 lakh doses of Covishield vaccine and 20,000 doses of Covaxin vaccine, which have been distributed to all the districts.

PTI

Modi urges people to take two doses, continue to wear masks

Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged people to remember that the COVID-19 vaccines are only effective when two doses are to be taken. "Experts have said that there should be a gap of one month between both vaccinations," he said.

He also requested people to continue wearing masks, maintain social distancing even after getting a shot as immunity develops after the second dose.

PM Modi congratulates nation on launch of vaccine

Speaking via videoconferencing, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated all countrymen on the launch of the world's largest vaccination drive.

Two vaccines - SII's Covishield and Bharat Biotech's Covaxin - will be administered in India from today onwards.

He also thanked the medical and research workers who worked endlessly to develop the vaccine.

BMC has registered 3.3 lakh medical, frontline workers, says civic body chief

Pregnant women, people allergies should not take vaccine

Certain groups have been advised or directed not to take the vaccine, which is being launched today in India for healthcare and frontline workers. Here are the groups that should not take the vaccine:

• Pregnant women and lactating mothers
• People with a history of anaphylactic or allergic reactions
• People with an allergy to injectable therapies, pharma products, etc.

Covishield: How the vaccine works

Developed by the University of Oxford and British-Swedish pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca and manufactured by the Pune-based Serum Institute of India, Covishield has emerged as the most promising vaccine for countries like India where cost and logistics are a significant consideration.

Covishield is a vector vaccine which are slower but cheaper and can be kept stable for six months at standard refrigerator temperatures. The vaccine uses a weakened version of a common cold virus called an adenovirus that affects chimpanzees but doesn't infect humans. It attaches to cells and injects DNA that tells them to make the coronavirus spike protein - the structures on the surface of the coronavirus, giving it that studded appearance.

This catches the attention of the immune system which recognizes it as foreign and builds up a defence to attack the real coronavirus when an actual infection occurs.

Vaccination drive to be conducted at 81 sites in Delhi

In Delhi, the drive will kick off from the state-run LNJP Hospital with a simple ceremony in the presence of Chief Minister Kejriwal and Health Minister Satyendar Jain.

A trio of a doctor, nurse and a sanitation worker will receive COVID-19 vaccine shots in the presence of Kejriwal at LNJP Hospital, sources told PTI.

The 81 sites named in the national capital for administering the jabs include six Central government facilities like AIIMS, Safdarjung Hospital, RML Hospital and Kalawati Saran Children Hospital and two ESI hospitals.

Co-WIN app will be used to drive vaccination programme 

An online digital platform Co-WIN, developed by the health ministry, will be used to drive the vaccination programme.

A dedicated 24x7 call centre — 1075 — has also been set up for addressing queries related to the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine roll-out and the Co-WIN software.

Over 3 lakh healthcare workers to get vaccinated today

India is all set to roll out the world's biggest vaccination programme on Saturday, with over 3 lakh healthcare workers to be inoculated on the first day of the much-anticipated drive, which the government said is "probably the beginning of the end" of COVID-19.

A total of 3,006 session sites across all states and Union territories will be virtually connected during the launch at 10.30 am by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and around 100 beneficiaries will be vaccinated at each session site.