At the rate Meghalaya is going, the state will run out of vaccines for those above 45 years of age in a week’s time if new supplies are not forthcoming, Health and Family Welfare Minister AL Hek said today.
Meghalaya is currently administering around 10,000 vaccine doses a day and only has enough stock for a further 80,000 jabs, Hek informed.
“These are also meant for those who will be getting their second dose of the vaccine,” the minister told reporters.
Chief Secretary MS Rao has contacted the central government to allocate more vaccines for the 45-plus age group.
He also stated that the first 42,000 doses of the Covishield vaccine meant for the 18-44s will arrive tomorrow. “We will take a call on how to prioritise the vaccines,” Hek said.
There has also been discussion in government circles about imposing a lockdown statewide. Currently only East Khasi Hills is undergoing a total lockdown, with the other districts only facing this on the weekends. However, Hek said that no decision on the matter has been taken.
Meanwhile, the Marwari Society, in collaboration with the Marwari Yuva Manch Shillong, will set up a corona care centre at Balika School in Keating Road here.
Hek informed that water, food and other facilities will be provided by the group asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic Covid patients. Health workers will be appointed by the government. Two further corona care centres will be set up by the Synjuk Ki Rangbah Shnong in Laban and Jaiaw.
In addition, the minister also informed that the hospital bed capacity in the state will increase to 1,000 shortly on the activation of 100 further beds at the TB Hospital in Umsawli and IIM Shillong campus.
