CHANDIGARH, Dec 17: After developing complications from covid infection following administration of a trial vaccine, Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij, 67, was admitted to Medanta hospital in Gurgaon on Tuesday from the Rohtak PGIMS in a critical condition. He is reported to have developed viral pneumonia and is in the ICU on high flow nasal oxygen support.

He was admitted at PGIMS Rohtak on Saturday and was administered convalescent plasma therapy. However, he was shifted to Medanta as his condition was showing concern.

According to sources, the Health Minister, who is the BJP MLA from Ambala Cantt, has multiple co-morbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, thyroid abnormalities and heart disease.

He was first admitted to civil hospital Ambala, where he had earlier taken the first dose of Covaxin, the covid trial vaccine of Bharat Biotech, a Hyderabad pharma. Bharat Biotech has said the vaccine shows effectiveness two weeks after the second, final dose. Vij had taken only the first dose. He had tested positive for coronavirus on December 5, a fortnight after he participated in the Covaxin clinical trial by taking the first jab. The third and final phase of the clinical trial of the vaccine had started in Haryana on November 20.

"The Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij (67), was admitted to Medanta-The Medicity at 9 pm yesterday, 15.12.2020. He was transferred from PGI, Rohtak with COVID pneumonia and admitted in Medanta, ICU. Relevant investigations, including CT Scan, have been done and the results are satisfactory. His condition is stable and he is maintaining vitals parameters on high flow nasal cannula on oxygen support. He slept well last night and had his meals. He is likely to stay in ICU for a few days. A team of doctors, including Dr Virender Yadav—Civil Surgeon Gurgaon, Dr Deepak Govil—Director Critical Care, Dr Sushila Kataria—Senior Director Internal Medicine, Medanta, besides others, are monitoring his condition continuously,” a hospital bulletin said.