Union Ministers Jaishankar, Jitendra Singh receive first dose of COVID-19 vaccine

Unions Minister S Jaishankar, Jitendra Singh received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as the second phase nationwide inoculation drive for citizens above 60, and those between 45-59 with co-morbidities started today, March 1. 

Tweeting a picture of himself getting the COVID jab, Jaishankar informed the country that he chose to be administered Covaxin, the vaccine developed by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech. Expressing his emotions, he wrote that he was feeling "secure" after taking the vaccine. 

Singh also took to the microblogging site and shared a picture of him getting inoculated. In his tweet, he thanked the medical staff involved and motivated the countrymen to join the COVID-free India movement started by PM Modi by getting vaccinated. 

Earlier in the day, kicking off phase-2 of India's COVID vaccination program, Prime Minister Modi received his first jab of the vaccine. Union HM Amit Shah and Vice President of India, Venkaiah Naidu were also administered with the COVID jab.

READ: Vice President Naidu Gets First Dose Of COVID-19 Vaccine, Shares News On Twitter

The second phase of the COVID-19 vaccination drive begins today 

After the successful vaccination of healthcare and frontline workers in the first phase, India begins with the second phase of the vaccination drive today. In the second phase, people aged 60 years or more as on January 1, 2022, and those with comorbidities who are in the age group of 45-59 years as on January 1, 2022, are eligible for vaccination. A total of 10,000 crore people across the country are estimated to be vaccinated in around 10,000 government health centres and 12,000 private centres. 

READ: COVID-19 Vaccination Phase 2: CoWIN Registration From 9 Am Tomorrow; Here's How To Enroll

States and districts will be required to pre-register COVID-19 Vaccination Centres (CVCs) on the Co-WIN2.0 portal before the registration is opened for people above 60 years and those aged 45 and above with co-morbidities so that the list of CVCs is available to the citizens, the Union Health Ministry said. The registration begins today, March 1 at 9 am. The eligible beneficiaries can choose the centre of their choice and book an appointment based on the slots available.

The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare  Harsh Vardhan gave details to the citizens regarding the second phases via a tweet. 

READ: PM Modi Takes First Dose Of COVID-19 Vaccine At AIIMS As 2nd Phase Of Inoculation Begins

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