Nagpur: Dr Dipankar Bhivgade, zonal medical officer of Ashi Nagar zone of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), who was the first to get vaccinated at Pachpaoli Shrutika Gruha (women’s hospital), said it was a safe experience but made an appeal to the masses to continue observing the mandatory Covid precautions of social distancing, mask and sanitization.
Dr Bhivgade, who joined the NMC as medical officer in 2004, got a “best of luck” wish from his wife Dr Smita and their seven-year-old daughter Maulya.
While Dr Bhivgade was the first recipient, the nurse team of Rajni Meshram and Rajashree Fule were the first ones to administer the dose.
Dr Bhivgade, a pass out of the Government Ayurvedic College in 2004, said he felt elated after being administered the first dose of the vaccine. “We were apprehensive in the initial days while doing the Covid duties of contact tracing and other responsibilities but later had decided to put our lives at stake to ensure our Covid duties were performed selflessly. It is a memorable day for me,” said Bhivgade showing the message on the cell phone which he had received from NMC inviting him for the vaccination on Friday.
Bhivgade said he took the shot on the upper right arm and spent his 30 minutes at the observation room without a hitch. “I took the dose, felt comfortable and there was no side affects too. It seemed safe for all and everyone should feel free to take the vaccine,” he said.
Dr Bhivgade was followed by Dr Sangeeta Balkote-Khandait, in charge of the centre, Dr Vaishali Mohkar, reproductive and child health officer of NMC and Dr Manjusha Mathpati, medical officer.