PM Narendra Modi likely to be among the first one to take COVID-19 vaccine in second phase

India had started the COVID-19 vaccination drive on January 16 after earlier in the month granting emergency use approval to two vaccines – Covishield and Covaxin. In the first phase, healthcare workers like doctors and nurses and frontline workers like armed forces, police and sanitation staff are being administered the jabs on the government’s cost.

The phase two will include people above the age of 50 and those below the age of 50 with serious health complications, who are required to be vaccinated against the COVID-19 disease on priority.

As per details available with us, the second phase would also include politicians and PM Modi could be the first person to be given the jab in that phase.

It would be an important event as the PM himself taking the shot would serve as motivation for others to come forward and get the COVID-19 vaccine, amid the hesitancy being so far in the country.

It has been observed that with one of the vaccines (Covaxin) been given early approval prior to the completion of the phase 3 trials and release of efficacy data, a hesitancy has crept in amongst the people to wait and watch before taking part in the COVID-19 vaccination drive.

Government officials one after another have come out to assure that both the vaccines are safe and effective. They have asked people not to be hesitant and take the vaccine in order to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.

It may also be noted here that the PM taking the vaccine at the start of the second phase has nothing to do with the government’s efforts to end this hesitancy as politicians were scheduled, as per the government’s plan, to take the vaccine in this phase.

Government sources have clarified that the PM will be among the first persons to take part in the second phase of coronavirus vaccination as per the plan and not because there has been criticism of the vaccination drive amid the hesitancy being witnessed.

It may be noted that several opposition politicians have demanded that the PM should take the jab to end the hesitancy in the country. – Times Now