By Ajita Rijal
Kathmandu, Mar. 9: Nepal started its second phase of the nationwide vaccination drive against the coronavirus targeting senior citizens aged 65 or older. Upon finally being able to receive the much-awaited jabs, more than a year after living under the fear of the pandemic, the senior citizens now feel a sigh of relief.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli himself took the shot of Covishield on the inaugural day, Sunday, helping dispel the misgivings surrounding the vaccine.
A total of 165,428 senior citizens throughout the nation were inoculated on the first day, according to the data made available by Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP). The government is aiming to vaccinate 1,782,469 senior citizens and around 6,000 vaccination centres have been set up across the country for that purpose.
Hari Shah, 82, from Budhanilkantha, was thrilled to receive his first dose of the vaccine. “I couldn’t move out freely of my house due to the fear of COVID-19. Now that I have received the vaccine I hope to do so freely,” shared Shah upon receiving the jab at Shahid Gangalal National Heart Centre, in Kathmandu. “I feel a lot more safe and am comfortable enough to visit temples and relatives.”
Likewise, 76-year-old Mahalaxmi Rajbhandari, who also got vaccinated at the same centre, was impressed that getting the shot was quite painless. “I didn’t feel the slightest pain,” she said. “Getting jabbed is such a simple and easy thing, everyone must take it.”
She encouraged all other senior citizens to follow suit.
Another resident of Budhanilkantha, Surendra Kumar Chhetri, said, “I have observed my social responsibility by taking the shot.” By doing so you are not just ensuring your safety, but you are ensuring others’ safety as well, Chhetri said.
“What I heard about the vaccine’s safety was all very positive, and I did not have any hesitation about getting the shot,” he added.
Saraswoti Sapkota, 72, a resident of Baluwatar, Kathmandu said, “I have been worried about the pandemic for over a year now. Even if I got a cold, cough or fever, I would get anxious and very nervous.”
“Thanks to the government, now we have been vaccinated,” said Sapkota who reached the TU Teaching Hospital, Maharajgunj, along with her 81-year-old husband to get the shot.
Health experts are urging caution, even if they have received the vaccine.
“You are susceptible to catching coronavirus even after getting the shot,” said Dr. Jageshwor Gautam, Spokesperson for the MoHP.
Everyone needs two doses of Covishield, 8 to 12 weeks apart, in order to get optimum protection from the disease, he added. It is necessary to keep wearing facemasks so that you don’t transmit the virus to others, even if you already have got the jab, said Dr. Gautam.
“Following health protocols is a very important responsibility of every individual even after getting the jabs,” said Dr. Rabindra Pandey, a public health expert.
It takes time for all to get the vaccines, said Dr. Pandey and added that wearing masks, maintaining social distance and frequent hand washing should be continued for everyone’s welfare.
The government ran the first phase of COVID-19 vaccination from early January to February targeting the frontline workers.