Dalai Lama Who Received COVID Vaccine: "You Must Get Vaccinated to Prevent Serious Problems"

The 14th Dalai Lama (86), the spiritual leader of Tibet leading the government-in-exile in India, is receiving a COVID-19 vaccination on the 6th. [Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] The 14th Dalai Lama (86), the spiritual leader of Tibet leading the government-in-exile in India, received a COVID-19 vaccination on the 6th.

According to Indian media and other foreign reports on the 7th, after receiving the vaccine the previous day, the Dalai Lama said, "This vaccination will be very helpful in preventing serious problems," encouraging people to get vaccinated with courage.

The Dalai Lama's vaccination took place at the Jonal Hospital in Dharamsala, northern India, where the government-in-exile is based. Dr. G.D. Gupta of Jonal Hospital stated, "The Dalai Lama came to the hospital and received the vaccination just like any ordinary person."

The 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet (86), the spiritual leader, is leaving the hospital after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine on the 6th.
[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

The Dalai Lama stayed at the hospital for about 30 minutes after the vaccination to monitor for any side effects. Ten people living at the Dalai Lama's residence also received the vaccine on the same day.

In India, two types of vaccines are being administered: the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is produced under contract by the local pharmaceutical company Serum Institute of India (SII), and a vaccine independently developed by the Indian company Bharat Biotech. The Dalai Lama received the AstraZeneca vaccine.

The Dalai Lama fled Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, in 1959 to escape pressure from China, established a government-in-exile in India, and has continued a nonviolent independence movement for over 60 years. In 1989, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of these efforts.

As of this day, about 22 million people in India have completed their first dose of the vaccine. Both the AstraZeneca and Bharat Biotech vaccines require two doses. In New Delhi the previous day, a 104-year-old man named Tulsi Das Chola attracted attention by receiving the vaccine. Chola was born in November 1917, just before the Spanish flu pandemic. He emphasized, "Those who are eligible should come forward and get vaccinated," adding, "The vaccine is completely safe."

India plans to complete vaccinations for a total of 300 million people by around July to August, but the pace has been hindered by some recipients' reluctance to get vaccinated and issues with related apps. Following healthcare workers, police, and military personnel, general vaccinations for people aged 60 and over or those aged 45 and over with chronic diseases began this month.

Meanwhile, India's cumulative confirmed cases reached 11,210,580 (according to Worldometer) on this day. After nearing 100,000 daily cases in September last year and dropping to around 10,000 in early last month, the number of daily new cases has recently risen again to the high 10,000s. In particular, the daily confirmed cases in Maharashtra, the western state where Mumbai, India's economic hub, is located, increased significantly from the mid-2,000s in early last month to 10,187 on this day.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.