COVID-19 vaccine rollout begins in Telangana

Amid cheers, a woman sanitation worker received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine at a state-run hospital here as the exercise was launched in Telangana on Saturday.Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy and Telangana Health Minister Eatala Rajender formally launched the vaccination programme at the Gandhi Government Hospital here.

S Krishnamma, a woman sanitation worker was administered the first shot amid cheers by those present at the Gandhi Hospital after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the nation on the occasion of the vaccine roll out concluded.

Krishnamma told mediapersons that though she was a little apprehensive earlier, she was reassured by the hospital superintendent.

The woman said she did not have any health complaints after taking the vaccine and appealed to all to receive the shot with courage in order to protect one's health.

The vaccination campaign also began simultaneously at various other locations in the state where state ministers and other public representatives were present.

Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, a medical doctor, visited the state-run Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) in the city.

The healthcare workers and others, who received the vaccine at different places in the state, told reporters that they did not experience any health issues.

K Jayamma (42), a health worker, received the first vaccine shot at the Rural Health Centre at Narsingi on the city outskirts.

I had no fear of taking the vaccine. I wanted to take the vaccine first to allay apprehensions if any about the vaccination. My family members also encouraged me to take it.

We (health workers) all have been serving the COVID-19 patients for the past nine months (on COVID-19) and were awaiting the vaccine, Jayamma, an Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) at the Narsingi Rural Health Centre told PTI.

State ministers and other public representatives were present at the inauguration of the inoculation drive at different places in the state.

The health minister said vaccination drive was underway at 144 centres in the state on Saturday with 30 people each slated to receive the shot there.

The state government has invited the participation of public representatives from village "sarpanches" to ministers in the programme to spread awareness among people about the exercise.

(IMAGE CREDITS:PTI)