First recipient of Covid vaccine in Nagaland says the jab is painless and there is nothing to fear

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Jan. 16 (EMN): Senior Consultant and in-charge of the intensive care unit at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK), Dr. Sendimeren Aonok, became the first recipient of Covid-19 vaccine in Nagaland after he was administered the jab on Saturday.

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio launched the Covid-19 vaccination drive in Nagaland along with the rest of the country at NHAK.

Sharing his experience to journalist after receiving the dose, Aonok, who is also Governor’s Medal Awardee, said the injection was “absolutely painless” and ‘there is nothing to fear as far as the pain is concerned’. On side effects, he said that he was “very much” fine after taking the dose.

He stated that he had no hesitation to take the dose and was prepared and ready to receive it. As health workers and frontline workers in every form, ‘we are expected to take the dose’, he added.

He encouraged the citizens to take the “painless vaccine” because life is very precious. Before taking the vaccine, the beneficiaries are required to identify themselves in the form of an identity card because all the notification will be sent to the Centre, he added.

The doctor also stressed on “rumours” regarding “side effects” of the vaccine across the country. He assured that the vaccine is safe.

“If Covid-19 vaccine was ‘live’, then one needs to be careful because side effects and complications are huge but it is a killed vaccine and therefore is harmless. The only thing to be careful about is if a person is allergic to too many things; then vaccination has to be done under observation and at a proper healthcare centre,” he said. 

The second dose will be taken after 28 days. However, the actual efficacy of the Covid-19 vaccine will be known after a gap of 42 days or (14 days after the second dose). For any complications after receiving the dose, beneficiaries have to come to the hospital, said the doctor.

Mission director, National Health Mission, Kevichusa Medikhrü also informed that launching of Covid-19 vaccines would take place at nine sites in the state. He added that they are targeting 100 beneficiaries per site, totalling to 900 beneficiaries (healthcare workers) to receive the injection on the day of launch.