PM Modi takes Covid-19 vaccine: Sister P Niveda, from Puducherry, administered the made-in-India COVAXIN to Prime Minister

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday took the first dose of Covaxin, India’s homegrown coronavirus vaccine developed by biotechnology firm Bharat Biotech and Indian Council of Medical Research, addressing the hesitancy over the COVID-19 vaccine.

PM Modi was administered Bharat BioTech’s Covaxin by Sister P Niveda from Puducherry. The second nurse was from Kerala.

PM Modi ने आज राजधानी दिल्ली के एम्स अस्पताल में कोरोना वायरस वैक्सीन की पहली डोज लगवाई है
| @narendramodi #COVID19 #COVAXIN |
Read: https://t.co/JT7dOcbgBm pic.twitter.com/X1uU9Gcthp

— Newsroom Post (@NewsroomPostCom) March 1, 2021

The Covid-19 vaccines- Covaxin and Covishield, will be made available to the general public from today.

The PM went to AIIMS without any route on the roads, thus choosing early morning to avoid inconvenience to public.

The first phase of the nationwide vaccination drive against Covid-19 had begun on January 16. The second dose of vaccine had begun from February 13.

Watch PM @narendramodi visit AIIMs, New Delhi in the wee hours of the day to get himself administered for the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. pic.twitter.com/2rplLO3vSA

— Prasar Bharati News Services पी.बी.एन.एस. (@PBNS_India) March 1, 2021

Bharat Biotech’s coronavirus vaccine Covaxin had run into a controversy after it got regulatory approval for emergency use without phase-3 trial results.

However, in January, the company’s Chairman and Managing Director Dr Krishna Ella clarified that the vaccine is safe and Bharat Biotech conducted trials in over 12 countries besides India.

In the picture that PM Modi tweeted, he is seen wearing a gamcha of Assam, which is symbolic of blessings of women from the eastern state. He has been seen wearing it on many occasions.

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.

I appeal to all those who are eligible to take the vaccine. Together, let us make India COVID-19 free! pic.twitter.com/5z5cvAoMrv

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 1, 2021