Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Saturday inaugurated the COVID-19 vaccination programme in the State at the Government Rajaji Hospital here. On the occasion, Mr. Palaniswami said he would definitely take the vaccine in due course.
The first dose was administered to Tamil Nadu Government Doctors’ Association president K. Senthil, in the presence of the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam.
Indian Medical Association national president J.A. Jayalal, its Tamil Nadu president P. Ramakrishnan and Government Rajaji Hospital Dean J. Sangumani were among those from the medical fraternity who volunteered to get vaccinated on day one.
A few other doctors, nurses, staff workers and 108 ambulance service workers were vaccinated at GRH.
Later, addressing the media, the Chief Minister took pride that India was able to develop vaccines for the pandemic, which the entire world was looking forward to.
“Untiring efforts of the Prime Minister resulted in India developing the vaccines,” he said.
When asked if he would take a shot, Mr. Palaniswami said that he would definitely get himself vaccinated.
“Not only me, but my family members and all the people of the country will have to take the vaccine,” the Chief Minister said.
Doubts allayed
Stating that COVID-19 spread easily and several people had died, Mr. Palaniswami said lakhs of people had also recovered.
Allaying doubts over Covaxin, Mr. Palaniswami said the vaccine had undergone all clinical trials as per the guidelines of the Government of India.
Tamil Nadu had got 5.36 lakh doses, he said. Health workers, who belonged to the high-risk category, would get it on priority as they had to handle those infected, he said.
The Health Department had taken up a dry run in 226 centres, and vaccination would be carried out in 166, he said. The Chief Minister said after the first dose, the second would be injected on the 28th day.
“People who take the vaccines must not lower their guard and should follow all guidelines to keep themselves safe. Those vaccinated will develop immunity only from the 42nd day,” he added.
Health Minister Vijayabaskar and Health Secretary J. Radhakrishnan were present on the occasion.
