"Don't Make Mistake Of Ignoring Social Distancing, 2nd Dose": PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today cautioned Indians against dropping their guard after taking the first shot of the two-dose Covid-19 vaccine. He also said that the initiation of the countrywide inoculation pogramme does not mean that the usual COVID-19 protocols can be ignored now.

"I want to remind people of the country that two doses of the Corona vaccine are very important. Experts have said that there should be a gap of one month between both vaccinations," he said, launching India's massive inoculation drive against the pandemic.

"I request you not to make the mistake of taking off the mask and not maintaining social distancing after getting the first dose because immunity develops after the second dose. We must take another vow: Dawai bhi, Kadaai bhi," he said, emphasising on both "medicine" and "caution".

Manish Kumar, a sanitation worker, today became the first Indian to receive a Covid-19 vaccine jab at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, in the presence of Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan.

Launching the drive, PM Modi paid tributes to millions of Indian frontline workers and scientists and warned against falling for propaganda or rumours. The country's inoculation drive is one of the world's biggest, targeting 3 crore health and other frontline workers to begin with. Two shots manufactured in India, one developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca, and the other by Bharat Biotech, are being deployed.

"India is among the few countries which, despite hardship, provided medicines and medical help to over 150 countries around the world. Whether it is paracetamol, hydroxychloroquine, or testing equipment, India has made every possible effort to save people of other countries," PM Modi said.