Dimapur COVID-19 vaccination: ‘Vaccine is painless’

A doctor prepares the dose of Covishield in Dimapur on January 16. (Morung Photo)

A doctor prepares the dose of Covishield in Dimapur on January 16. (Morung Photo)

Morung Express News
Dimapur | January 16

Blood Bank incharge of District Hospital Dimapur, Dr Temsu, who received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine in Dimapur described his experience as “painless.” “It is painless and I feel quite elated because I’m now about to be protected (from COVID-19),” he told media persons after receiving the first dose of vaccine on January 16.

He allayed all apprehensions being widely discussed on various social media platforms about the safety of the vaccine and said that the people should rather be happy and thankful when the government was putting all efforts in the fight against the pandemic. 

Dr Temsu, who is “anxiously waiting” for the second dose, thanked the state government and the people of the state for giving him the opportunity of being the first beneficiary of the vaccine in Dimapur.

4894 beneficiaries in Dimapur
Having identified 4894 beneficiaries consisting mostly of frontline workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in different phases, Dimapur district along with the rest of the country started first phase vaccination at District Hospital Dimapur (DHD) on January 16. 

On the first day, a total of 100 healthcare workers including doctors, nurses and staff of DHD received vaccination in the presence of Minister for Health & Family Welfare, S Pangnyu Phom; Minister for Rural Development, Metsubo Jamir; Principal Director Health & Family Welfare, Dr Vizolie Z Soukhrie, district administration and police officials.

Speaking at a launching programme of the vaccine, Pangnyu informed that the state received 26, 500 doses of Covishield manufactured by Serum Institute of India. He said the first phase of vaccination drive would cover healthcare workers. He said the COVID-19 vaccine will be administered in two doses with 28 days apart. The Minister urged the public to continue following all COVID-19 safety measures even after receiving the vaccine at later stages.

Describing the first day of vaccination drive as ‘a day of hope’ for the people, Metsubo hoped that the vaccine would free the people from fear of COVID-19. Stating that there have been apprehensions in the minds of the public describing the vaccination drive as “anti-Christ,” the Minister called for the Church to support the drive.

Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur, Rajesh Soundararajan who is also the Chairman, District Task Force for COVID-19 Vaccine said that the vaccination drive would be a continuous exercise and requested all stakeholders to continue extending their support for its success.

DPO, UIP/RCH, DHD, Dr Rebecca Y Sema informed that Dimapur has 10 cold chain points and the potency of vaccines would be maintained at 2-8 degree celsius. She said 21 session sites have been identified in Dimapur out of which 13 are in public facilities and eight in private facilities.

‘Vaccine is safe’
Allaying public apprehension that the Covishield might be unsafe if administered, Dr Vizolie asserted that the vaccine has undergone series of trials and testing before being rolled out and that the “vaccine is safe, we do not need to worry.”

“How long the vaccine will provide protection is unknown but we should not be apprehensive about its safety. Symptoms like fever can be expected but it is safe, let us take forward,” he added.

He also said that the vaccine is 70% efficacy proven and takes 42 days for the vaccine to take effect. Dr Vizolie informed that the vaccine is for those above 18 years since testing is yet to be conducted on persons below the same age. He informed the beneficiaries to continue maintaining and observing all Covid-19 safety measures even after being administered the vaccine.