State chief minister Neiphiu Rio, his wife Kaisa Rio and cabinet colleagues – health minister S Pangyu Phom, soil & water conservation and geology & mining minister V Kashiho Sangtam, urban development & municipal affairs adviser Dr Neikiesalie Nicky Kire – got themselves inoculated with COVID vaccine on Wednesday.
While the chief minister and his wife Kaisa Rio, along with deputy commissioner Kohima, received the first shot of Covishield at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima in the evening, S Pangyu Phom, V Kashiho Sangtam Dr Neikiesalie Nicky Kire were vaccinated at Dimapur District Hospital.
Speaking to media persons after 30 minutes of observation at NHAK, Rio appealed to the citizens to come forward and take the vaccine.
He said it was proud for the nation to have a domestically-manufactured vaccine, adding that he had received the first shot of the vaccine in the third phase of vaccination under which citizens 60 years and above and all those aged 45-59 years with co-morbidities or diseases were being targeted after the first and second phases had targeted health and frontline workers.
He advised the vaccine beneficiaries not to miss the second dose, which was 28 days after administering of the first dose to get immunity from COVID-19.
He reiterated his appeal to the citizens to come out and take the vaccine at any of the session sites.
Hoping that the vaccination rate would be higher this time, Rio remarked that even though the State’s COVID positivity rate was low, people should not take chances and must come forward for the vaccine.
Along with others, Bishop of Kohima diocese, Reverend Fr. James Thoppil was inoculated on Wednesday.
In Dimapur, Health minister, S Pangyu Phom received the first dose of Covishield at District Hospital Dimapur (DHD), along with V Kashiho Sangtam and Dr Neikiesalie Nicky Kire.
After receiving the vaccine and a photocopy of provisional certificate from the hospital in this regard, Pangyu encouraged people of the State to come forward for the vaccination. He said he would come for the second dose of the vaccine after 28 days and obtain the original certificate.
The trio urged the people not believe in the rumour about the side-effects of the vaccine that has gone viral, but get vaccinated for the benefit everyone’s health.
Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) convener Rev Dr Wati Aier, who also received his first dose during the day, said he was fortunate for having got the opportunity to inoculate himself against the virus.
He encouraged everyone, especially the elders, to come and get themselves vaccinated, saying “It’s an opportunity and there is nothing wrong in that and no reason to fear about the vaccine”.
He urged the public not to believe in the various conspiracy theories going viral regarding the vaccine’s side-effects but instead have faith in God and apply reasoning.