Healthcare workers on the frontlines of the battle against Covid-19 in Woodland Hospital and Ganesh Das Hospital were administered the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine today.
The Woodland Hospital vaccination drive also saw health workers from Malki Public Health Centre and Bansara Eye Care clinic get the jab.
“A total of 61 people volunteered and they will be given their second dose after 28 days,” Dr GR Mili of Woodland Hospital said.
Dr Mili said that the Covishield vaccine is safe and there is no need to be scared.
“Until now we have not received any complaints and in the state, too, I have not heard of any adverse effects. Please come forward to help the government and us in this fight against Covid-19,” he said.
A staff member of Woodland Hospital, Babat Kharshiing, said that he volunteered to take the vaccine because, as a health worker, he needs it to protect himself from contracting the virus even as he urged that the public should also come forward if their turn comes in the future.
At Ganesh Das Hospital, Medical Superintendent Dr WM Kharlukhi said that almost 90 percent of staff are willing to take the vaccine.
“There is no problem since they know that the vaccine is needed,” Dr Kharlukhi said, adding that Covishield, developed by Oxford University, pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca and the Serum Institute of India, is one of the best vaccines.
He also blamed social media for rumours against the vaccine.
“All of these are fake news and no one should believe them,” Dr Kharlukhi said.
Dr M Huroo, who was one of the beneficiaries, said that she volunteered to take the vaccine and is sure that it is safe.
Dr N Wanswett, a retired doctor, backed this up by saying, “We are living in the times of a pandemic and the vaccine is the only way to get ourselves protected.”
