Spirits were high as Manipur rolled out the COVID-19 vaccination drive along with the rest of the country on January 16. The months of effort that government officials, partners and health care workers had put in to make the vaccination drive successful and keep motivations high had finally come to fruition.
Vaccine shots were given at 10 vaccination sites on the inaugural day of the vaccination drive in Manipur, which was one of the worst affected states among the North-Eastern states.
“2020 brought little hope, with many health care workers losing their lives to COVID-19. We start 2021 with renewed hope in the vaccines, in science and collaborative effort. The launch of the COVID-19 vaccination on 16th Jan. across India is the day we start defeating the dreaded SARS COV-2,” said Dr D. Apao, Surveillance Medical Officer, World Health Organization National Public Health Surveillance Project (WHO NPSP), Imphal Unit.
N. Thadoi Chanu was the first vaccinator to administer a COVID-19 shot in Manipur. “I prayed in the morning. While giving the first dose, I was a little apprehensive. But as the beneficiaries continue to come, I became confident. I also vaccinated my director and he said it was not painful at all. He praised me. I was elated. I am very happy that I vaccinated a lot of people on the first day including many well-known doctors. I am with child, so I will not be vaccinated now,” she said.
WHO SMO Imphal Unit Dr D. Apao checked the list of COVID-19 vaccination beneficiaries at Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), Imphal.
“With so many VIPs at the vaccination site on inaugural day, it is becoming a little nerve-wrecking. We have put in a lot of work and I hope the rollout will be smooth,” said vaccination officer 2.
Vaccinator N. Thadoi Chanu draws out the Covishield vaccine before beginning vaccination.
Dr Nandeibam Kameshore, Head of the Department of Paediatrics at JNIMS Imphal, was among those who got vaccinated. He had a simple message for others. “Vaccinate and prevent COVID-19. I was among the first doctors to get vaccinated. It proves my faith and belief in vaccination,” he said.
Vaccinated health care workers waited in the observation room at RIMS Imphal. Vaccination officer 3 made sure that the beneficiaries observe physical distancing protocols after getting vaccinated.
A list of all the allocated beneficiaries was provided to vaccinators. “Once their verification is done by the vaccination officer 2 through the portal, I cross check again to make sure that the intended beneficiary is the person vaccinated. I tick all the beneficiaries vaccinated on this sheet,” said vaccination officer.
Priyokumar Konjengbam, Administration Assistant WHO Imphal Unit, gave company to health care worker N. Romesh, who got the first vaccine shot in Manipur. Romesh works as an attendant in the academic section of JNIMS. “I am happy I was the first to get vaccinated,” he said.
WHO SMO Dr Apao met the vaccinated health care workers in the observation room at Shija Hospital in Imphal. “I am absolutely fine, no pain at all”, said one. “We are fortunate to be vaccinated on the first day,” said another.
Used COVID-19 vaccine vials are signs of a job well done.