Coronavirus LIVE: No case of post-vaccine hospitalisation today, says govt

Coronavirus live updates: India has rolled out two coronavirus vaccines - Covishield and Covaxin. Globally, more than 94 million people have been infected, of which, 10,542,068 are in India

3:33 PM

Health workers receive Covid shots in presence of CM Palaniswami in Chennai

3:25 PM

Resident docs in RML Hospital want Covishield, expresses 'bit apprehension' about Covaxin

The Resident Doctors' Association (RDA) of the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital here on Saturday requested the medical superintendent to vaccinate them with Oxford Covid-19 vaccine Covishield. In a letter to the medical superintendent, the association said the resident doctors were "a bit apprehensive" about Covaxin and might not participate in the immunisation drive in large numbers thus defeating the purpose of the exercise which began in the country on Saturday.

"We have come to know that the Covid-19 vaccination drive is being conducted by the hospital today. Covaxin manufactured by Bharat Biotech is being preferred in our hospital over Covishield manufactured by Serum Institute. "The residents are a bit apprehensive about the lack of complete trial in case of Covaxin and might not participate in huge numbers thus defeating the purpose of vaccination. We request you to vaccinate us with Covishield which has completed all stages of trial before its roll-out," the letter stated.

 

3:24 PM

World's largest vaccination drive shows determination of a self-reliant India, says Amit Shah

As the country began administering two made-in-India vaccines against Covid-19 on Saturday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said it represents the determination of a self-reliant India and is an important milestone in the fight against the pandemic. Complimenting scientists as the world's largest vaccination drive was rolled out, Shah said in a series of tweets that India is one of the few countries which have achieved success to end the biggest crisis facing the humanity.

The home minister said the 'New India' led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is an India that transforms disasters into opportunities and challenges into achievements. "This 'Made in India' vaccine represents the determination of the self-reliant India. On this historic day, I bow to all our Corona warriors," he said in tweets in Hindi. Shah said the country is witnessing a historic moment and has crossed an important milestone in the fight against the coronavirus under the leadership of Modi.

"The world's largest vaccination campaign shows the immense potential of India's scientists and the power of our leadership," he said. The home minister said, "India is one of the few countries which has achieved success to end the biggest crisis against humanity."

3:14 PM

Mahesh Sharma among first lawmakers to get Covid-19 vaccine

With a Covishield jab on his forearm, BJP leader and Gautam Buddh Nagar MP Mahesh Sharma on Saturday got vaccinated for coronavirus as a 'healthcare worker', becoming among the first parliamentarians in India to get inoculated for the infection. Sharma, who is also a trained MBBS doctor, got vaccinated at 11 am at his Kailash Hospital in Noida Sector 27, hospital spokesperson V B Joshi told PTI. The 61-year-old former Union minister was then kept in observation for 30 minutes at the hospital, Joshi said.

The beginning of the end for COVID-19 has started today with Prime Minister Narendra Modi launching the world's largest vaccination campaign. As a doctor, I have also got vaccinated for coronavirus. I am feeling absolutely fine. The vaccine is completely safe and all of you should get vaccinated, Sharma tweeted in Hindi. The vaccination drive started in Gautam Buddh Nagar at six centres across Noida and Greater Noida as the mega inoculation drive was launched in the country on Saturday.

3:13 PM

Bharat Biotech to pay compensation if Covaxin causes side effects

Bharat Biotech, which has received a government purchase order for supply of 55 lakh doses of Covaxin, a Covid-19 vaccine, said the company will pay compensation to recipients in case of any serious adverse effects experienced after receiving the antidote. In the consent form to be signed by the vaccine recipients, Bharat Biotech said, "In case of any adverse events or serious adverse events, you will be provided medically recognised standard of care in the government designated and authorised centres/hospitals."

"The compensation for serious adverse event will be paid by sponsor (BBIL) in case if the SAE is proven to be causally related to the vaccine," the consent form said. In phase 1 and phase 2 clinical trials, Covaxin has demonstrated the ability to produce antidotes against Covid- 19. However the clinical efficacy of the vaccine is yet to be established and it is still being studied in phase 3 clinical trials, the vaccine maker said.

"Hence it is important to appreciate that receiving the vaccine does not mean that other precautions related to COVID-19 need not be followed," the consent form said.

3:00 PM

RML Hospital superintendent Dr AK Singh Rana takes Covaxin jab

2:48 PM

Punjab CM visits hospital in Mohali to review vaccination drive

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh visits Civil Hospital in Mohali to inspect the ongoing Covid-19 vaccination drive today.

2:44 PM

ITBP medical officers administered Covid vaccine in Ladakh

2:41 PM

Sweeper, nurses among first receipents to get Covid-19 vaccine in Andhra Pradesh

A government hospital sweeper and nurses were among the first recipients of Covid-19 vaccine in Andhra Pradesh as the programme was launched in the state on Saturday by Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy. Sweeper B Pushpa Kumari and a senior staff nurse Naga Jyothy were administered the vaccine at the Government General Hospital in Vijayawada where Chief Minister formally launched the drive.

A short while earlier, 40-year old staff nurse Manjula of the government hospital in Prodatturu town in Kadapa district, the native of Jagan Reddy, became the first person to get the vaccine. Local MLA Prasad Reddy launched the vaccination drive midway through Prime Minister Narendra Modis address after he flagged-off the nation-wide exercise.


Andhra got 470,000 doses of CoviShield and 20,000 doses of Covaxin in the first round. At each location, a team of six staff have been deployed to vaccinate 100 beneficiaries per day. Each team is supervised by a doctor. A total of 2,324 staff would be working to vaccinate a maximum of 33,200 health care workers per day.

2:38 PM

ITBP personnel deployed in Ladakh get vaccine shots

2:30 PM

Rajnath Singh lauds scientists, PM Modi for Covid-19 vaccination drive

As India started its vaccination drive against the coronavirus, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday appreciated country's scientists and praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his persistence and determination in the development and inoculation process of the vaccine. "Today Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken decisive steps towards conquering the corona crisis by launching the biggest vaccination campaign not only in India but the whole world. In the first phase, it has been resolved to bring the vaccine to three crore people," Singh tweeted, along with the hashtag #LargestVaccineDrive

"The whole country is appreciative of the scientists who have played a role in preparing India's indigenous vaccine against corona. The persistence and determination with which Prime Minister Modi steered the country, right from the creation of the vaccine to the inoculation campaign, no matter how much we praise him for this, it will not be enough," he added. Singh further said the country's doctors, nurses, paramedical staff, policemen and other frontline workers who fought against the virus are now going to get a protective shield in the form of a vaccine.

"In the next phase, the vaccination campaign will reach 300 million people. It will certainly be a huge achievement," he added.

2:10 PM

Healthcare workers get first vaccine shots in Delhi amid cheers, applause

The COVID-19 vaccination drive is underway in the national capital with healthcare workers, who were at the forefront of the fight against the pandemic, getting the first shots amid cheers and applause. Manish Kumar, a sanitation worker, became the first person to receive the vaccine at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here on Saturday. At the Delhi government-run Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan (LNJP) Hospital, 48-year-old nurse Biji Tomy, a native of Kerala, was the first person to get the shot.

"I am feeling very proud and humbled to be part of this historic moment. We risked our lives and were pained to see so many deaths every day. It is a relief that we have a vaccine against coronavirus now," Tomy told PTI. As she stepped out 30 minutes after being administered the vaccine, her colleagues greeted her with loud cheers and applause. The hospital staff cheered other beneficiaries too. In Delhi, every person will be kept under observation for 30 minutes after the immunisation to watch for any side-effects of the vaccine, according to authorities.

2:08 PM

Vaccination drive in Rajasthan will take place in 167 booths: Ashok Gehlot

Everyone was eagerly waiting for this day. Finally, the vaccine is out. Vaccination would take place at 167 booths... It would take one to one-and-half-a-year to vaccinate everyone. Until then, we need to continue to follow Covid related protocols: Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot

2:00 PM

Uddhav Thackeray inaugurates vaccination centre at BKC Jumbo in Mumbai

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray inaugurated the vaccination centre at BKC Jumbo Covid-19 hospital in Mumbai and witnessed the vaccine administration today.

 

1:56 PM

Don't believe in rumours, experts say vaccines are safe: Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday urged people not to believe in rumours and listen to experts who say Covid-19 vaccines are safe, as the world's largest immunisation programme against the disease began in the country. Kejriwal inspected the Covid-19 vaccination campaign at the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan (LNJP) Hospital here, interacted with some health workers who received the shot and lauded their contribution in fighting the pandemic.

 

The vaccination drive has started at 81 centres in Delhi. "I have interacted with those vaccinated. No one has any problem. All are happy that they will get rid of coronavirus," the chief minister said. He said, "I want to say to all not to pay attention to rumours and misinformation. The experts say vaccines are safe and there is no need to worry." But there is a need to use face masks and maintain social distancing even after receiving the vaccine shots, Kejriwal stressed.