Meet Manish Kumar, Sanitation Worker Who Became The 1st Person To Receive India's COVID Vaccine

Manish Kumar, a sanitation worker at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)Delhi becomes the first person to receive a COVID-19 vaccine jab as India began the world's largest immunization drive against the pandemic.

Kumar was administered the vaccine at AIIMS in the presence of Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, moments after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the drive.

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#WATCH | Manish Kumar, a sanitation worker, becomes the first person to receive COVID-19 vaccine jab at AIIMS, Delhi in presence of Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan. pic.twitter.com/6GKqlQM07d

¡ª ANI (@ANI) January 16, 2021

"I am very happy and satisfied today. We have been fighting against COVID-19 in PM's leadership for the last one year. This vaccine will work as a 'sanjeevani' in the fight against COVID-19, which has entered the final stage," Harsh Vardhan said.

I am very happy and satisfied today. We have been fighting against COVID-19 in PM's leadership for the last one year. This vaccine will work as a 'sanjeevani' in the fight against COVID-19, which has entered the final stage: Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan pic.twitter.com/ma7EBNGmom

¡ª ANI (@ANI) January 16, 2021

AIIMS Director Dr. Randeep Guleria was also among the first to receives the COVID-19 vaccine on Saturday.

Other doctors, nurses and healthcare workers were also vaccinated at AIIMS hospital.

#WATCH | AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria receives COVID-19 vaccine shot at AIIMS, Delhi. pic.twitter.com/GFvZ2lgfj3

¡ª ANI (@ANI) January 16, 2021

Across the country too, the vaccine has been rolled out for healthcare workers starting from Saturday.

"I am happy. I volunteered to get the first jab to encourage others so that others can also benefit from the vaccine," said a volunteer who received the vaccine at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) in Srinagar said.

Jammu and Kashmir: The Covid-19 vaccination drive begins at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) in Srinagar.

"I am happy. I volunteered to get the first jab to encourage others so that others can also benefit from the vaccine," said a volunteer. pic.twitter.com/BsVqb209j1

¡ª ANI (@ANI) January 16, 2021

A health department sweeper received the first shot of the coronavirus vaccine in Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh.

"Health department sweeper B. Pushpa Kumari took the first shot of coronavirus vaccine in the state," said an official statement.

Kumari was administered the vaccine shot at Government General Hospital in Vijayawada.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the COVID-19 vaccination drive and asserted that the made-in-India vaccines being rolled out will ensure a "decisive victory" for the country over the coronavirus pandemic.

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Addressing the nation, PM Modi reminded people that two doses of vaccine are very important and asked them to maintain wearing masks and social distancing even after receiving the jabs.

"'Dawai bhi, kadai bhi," he said.

During his speech, PM Modi turned emotional as he spoke of the disruption the pandemic caused to people's lives, isolating victims of the coronavirus and denying the dead traditional last rites.

In a choked voice, the prime minister also referred to sacrifices made by healthcare and frontline workers, hundreds of whom lost their lives to the viral infection.

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He also urged the country to show patience during the vaccination drive as it had shown till now in fighting the pandemic.

Normally, it takes years to make a vaccine but in such a short span of time, not one, but two 'Made in India' vaccines are ready, PM Modi said, adding work on other vaccines is also progressing at a fast pace.

India getting two vaccines in such a short time is a testimony to the talent and skills of the nation's scientists', the prime minister said.

"Our vaccination programme is driven by humanitarian concerns, those exposed to maximum risk will get priority," he said.

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PM Modi said that scientists and experts have given permission for emergency use of the made-in-India vaccines only after being absolutely sure of their safety and the people should be aware of any propaganda and rumours.

The made-in-India vaccines will ensure a "decisive victory" for the country over the coronavirus pandemic, he asserted.