RGGGH Dean opts for Covaxin, ‘one less preferred’

CHENNAI: The first shot of the Covishield vaccine was received by Dr K Senthil, president of Tamil Nadu Government Doctors’ Association, followed by Dr JA Jayalal, national president of Indian Medical Association at Govt Rajaji Hospital in Madurai in the presence of Deputy CM O Panneerselvam after Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami launched the drive.

At the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital in Chennai, its Dean E Theranirajan took the first vaccine jab. “I opted for Covaxin to create confidence in the people as the number of people who had registered for this vaccine was less as compared to Covishield,” said Theranirajan adding that after taking the vaccine, he is normal and feeling fine.

Vice-Chancellor of Dr MGR Medical University Dr Sudha Seshayyan also got vaccinated at RGGGH, apart from several other doctors from various departments.

At other government and private hospitals, priority was given to senior doctors and healthcare workers. At Omandurar GGH, Dean Dr R Jayanthi took the first shot. A total of 70 healthcare workers including RMO received the vaccine.

More than 71 healthcare workers took Covidshield vaccine at the Stanley MCH, while about 20 healthcare workers received the vaccine at Kilpauk MCH.

Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan said the drive is taking off well with good response from institutions under Directorate of Medical Education.

“The Centre has asked for the list of other frontline workers across other departments including police, revenue and civic authorities. Their details will also be added in the CoWIN app to register for vaccination against COVID-19,” he said. The senior officials from the State health department said the next session of vaccination will be conducted on Sunday. Meanwhile, a list of people aged 50 years and above is also being prepared to enable registration in the coming phases of vaccination.