Leh/ Jan. 16: In the first phase of the COVID-19 vaccination drive, 79 health care workers were given the first shots of the vaccine in Leh district today.

Skalzang Chosdon, a safaiwala by profession, was the recipient of the first shot of COVID-19 vaccine in Leh district. A total of ten healthcare workers, including Skalzang, were given a shot of the Covid-19 vaccine at Ladakh Heart Foundation.

Earlier, Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of UT Ladakh, RK Mathur, inaugurated the COVID vaccination centre at Ladakh Heart Foundation in the presence of Chairman of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh, Tashi Gyaltson; Member of Parliament, Ladakh Constituency, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, and Commissioner Secretary, Health, Rigzin Samphel. Advisor Umang Narula, Commissioner Secretary Health, Rigzin Samphel; Deputy Commissioner Leh, Sachin Kumar Vaishya and Director Health, Phunstog Angchuk were also present at the vaccination centre.

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Healthcare workers were vaccinated across the country in the first phase of the COVID-19 vaccination drive. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the world’s biggest vaccination drive against the coronavirus disease under which around three lakh healthcare workers at more than three thousand sites were inoculated on Saturday. In his virtual address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to scientists and healthcare workers for their hard work and dedication.

Speaking on the occasion, L-G RK Mathur expressed his gratitude to the medical staff and healthcare workers for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also stressed the importance of maintaining precautions and discipline to control the spread of COVID-19. Chairman, LAHDC Leh, Tashi Gyaltson termed the moment as historic and thanked the medical and healthcare workers for their dedication and hard work. MP Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, shared that the Covishield vaccine has been produced by Serum Institute of India as a part of the Atma Nirbhar Bharat initiative by the central government. He also shared the vaccine as safe for the health of the people. He also advised people not to react to baseless rumours about the Covid vaccine.