'If someone dies 4 days or 10 days after inoculation, you can't link it to vaccination': Harsh Vardhan

New Delhi, Mar 01: Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said that he will do the booking for the vaccine today and plans to get vaccinated on Tuesday. "I will do the booking today and I plan to get vaccinated tomorrow," he said.

"I've been saying from beginning that both our vaccines are safe & perfect as far as immunogenicity is concerned. We're thankful to PM, he has always told us that you've to lead by example. He took the jab 1st of all, when vaccination of people above 60 yrs has begun," said Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Monday.

''He took COVAXIN, against which a lot of misinformation was spread even when it was scientifically perfect. I think PM has given a clear message to the country. All misinformation & hesitancy should be buried once and for all,'' Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said.

He said,''The side effects are minimal like swelling or fever. This sometimes happens during normal vaccination too. Hospitalisation due to vaccination is 0.0004 - it's negligible. No death has occurred due to vaccination.''

Union Health Minister further said,''If someone dies 4 days or 10 days after inoculation, you can't link it to vaccination. Every death has been scientifically investigated. High powered experts committee evaluate it, no case has come yet that death is vaccine-induced.''

Earlier in the day, the vaccination drive began to give jabs to persons aged 60 and above, and those in 45-59 age bracket with comorbidities.

Appointment for vaccination can be booked through the Co-WIN 2.0 portal. A mobile number cannot be used for making more than four registrations, they had said.

People opting for vaccination at private hospitals will have to pay up to Rs 250 per dose, including Rs 100 service charge per dose, they said.