Nagaland: Covid vaccine is to protect oneself and others, says official

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Jan. 20 (EMN): Principal Director of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Vizolie Suokhrie was administered with Covishield vaccine on Wednesday as the Covid-19 vaccination drive entered day-4 in the state.

Sources from the Health department informed that the principal director was inoculated at Urban Primary Health Centre (UPHC), Seikhazou in Kohima, on Wednesday morning.

“I just have received my Covishield vaccine; I am lucky to get the opportunity and the main purpose of this vaccination is to protect me and also my fellow friends,” said Suokhrie in a video message after receiving the vaccine.

“I am waiting for the last 30 minutes, there is no side affect, there is no problem and I didn’t even felt that the needle pierce me and there is no pain,” he added.

The official asserted that ‘vaccine is safe and it will save our people’. He urged the people not to be afraid but come forward to receive the vaccine and protect the community.

It may be mentioned that the first phase of the Covid-19 vaccination was launched in the state along with the rest of the country on January 16 and it is only for pre-registered healthcare workers including doctors, nurses and other support staff. They are being administered first as they may have a higher chance of getting infection and as a measure to reduce transmission to patients.

Allaying the fear of being inoculated, the Health department had earlier stated that “the Covishield has undergone all pre-clinical and clinical trials and is safe for use in general population”.

It also urged the citizens to support the vaccination drive besides following all Covid-19 appropriate safety measures, stating that vaccines are the way to get back to ‘normal life’.