The rate of Covid-19 vaccination among the general public is poor in Meghalaya, not due to a shortage of supplies of the drug but because citizens are wary of the jab, health officials said today.
Since March 1, when vaccination was opened to two different groups among the general public only 134 of those between 45 and 59 who have co-morbidities and 578 of those members of the public over 60 have received a first dose of the vaccine in East Khasi Hills, which is the district most affected by the virus. However, the rates of immunization are much better in Garo Hills, the officials informed.
Addressing the media today, the Health Department officials said a second wave of the coronavirus, especially through new strains that are spread more easily and could be more deadly, has spread rapidly in states like Maharashtra, Punjab and Karnataka with no fewer than 10,000 Covid cases per day and the second surge is certainly going to hit the state of Meghalaya hard.
Even among frontline and health workers, the take-up of the vaccination programme has been less than satisfactory.
Out of 11,133 health workers, only 6,737 were vaccinated until yesterday, with the proportion of frontline workers stands at 9,591 out of 21,665, East Khasi Hills’ District Medical and Health Officer, Dr MR Basaiawmoit, said.
“We started the programme for the health workers on January 16, then in February for the frontliners and this month we have rolled out this programme for the general public above 45 years to 59 years old with co-morbidity conditions and everyone above 60 years but the public participation has been very dismal and disappointing in East Khasi Hills district compared to districts in Garo Hills that are doing very well,” he stated. “We have now rolled out many programmes and conducted meetings with the Rangbah Shnongs, use the Deputy Commissioner’s office and circulated the advertisement on the vaccination drive and we are hopeful that turnout will improve.”
Dr Basaiawmoit pointed out that another problem is that people tend to get carried away and believe speculation and conspiracy theories on social media about the side effects of the vaccines but he urged the public not to believe in such rumours base their decisions on rational thinking. So far only 75 people who received the jab developed side effects and all were mild.
“If we just pause for a while and think what has happened over the past year when, so suddenly, the pandemic broke out in Meghalaya, claiming lives and gripping the entire state with fear and panic, we should come forward and get the vaccination and fight this virus together,” he said in appeal.
The Additional DMHO of the district, A Lyngdoh, said that this time the second wave will be deadlier but it is disappointing to see the bleak turnout of people to get vaccinated against Covid-19.
“We will not be able to cope with the second surge with more lethal strains and those with medical conditions will have to be hospitalized and it will be impossible with so few ICUs in the state,” she said while making it clear that even those who have already been infected with and recovered from Covid-19 could still catch the disease for a second time.
Registration for the vaccine can be accomplished online through the CoWin app or even through on the spot registration at the designated vaccination centres. Recipients only have to produce one example of government-issued identification to receive the jab. The vaccine costs Rs 250 in private health institutions but is free at government centres.
