“Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has changed the way we live and the way we interact and socialize with friends and family. I want things to go back to the way they were as soon as possible. If vaccines can help us do that, then all health workers and corona warriors must get vaccinated as soon as possible so that we can start interacting more compassionately with each other like we used to.,” said Mariyam Guria, who became the first person to get vaccinated against the pandemic disease in Jharkhand state.
Guria has been working as a sanitation worker since 2013 at Sadar Hospital in the state capital Ranchi. She was vaccinated at Sadar Hospital, where she began working in the operation theatres but now works in the physiotherapy department. She lives in Ranchi and is married to a farmer, and the couple have a young son who is in grade 3.
Guria was eagerly waiting for the vaccine as her biggest fear has been getting infected at work and endangering the health of her family. “Since I work in a COVID-19 hospital, I have been tested for COVID-19 several times, but have tested negative every time,” said Guria.
She is elated that she is the first person in the state to get vaccinated in her home state. “I experienced no discomfort following vaccination and am ready to get back to work,” she said.
In neighbouring Chattisgarh, sanitation worker Tulsa Tandi, 51, expressed her elation at being the first person to get vaccination by making a “V” sign after receiving her shot.
“It’s an honour to be chosen by the state as the first beneficiary to be vaccinated. It is a recognition of my hard work at Dr B R Ambedkar Hospital in Raipur, where I am working as a sanitation worker for last 13 years,” said Tandi. Dr B R Ambedkar Hospital is a dedicated COVID-19 hospital.
