Chief Secretary MS Rao reviewed the Covid-19 vaccination progress and Aadhaar enrolment in Garo Hills in the presence of the Deputy Commissioners of all the five districts yesterday.
Rao congratulated the medical officers and others involved in the vaccination drive for their tireless efforts towards achieving targets. However, he lamented that the overall vaccination coverage in the state, despite having sufficient stock of vaccine, is not up to the mark.
While talking about the overall vaccination coverage, he also suggested that those who turn up to the vaccination centre should be vaccinated as and when they arrive and not have to wait until a minimum 10 people are present. There are 10 doses in every vial of the vaccine; the wait for 10 people has been mandated so that doses are not wasted.
Further, while talking about Aadhaar enrolment in the state, he said that coverage in Meghalaya in very low compared to other states.
During the meeting, the Health Department officials highlighted the challenges and issues being faced and the steps taken for improving Covid vaccination rates in Garo Hills.
The vaccination coverage for all categories in South West Garo Hills is 74 percent, the highest in Garo Hills, followed by West Garo Hills with 59 percent. Second dose coverage in West Garo Hills is also quite high with 18,034 people fully vaccinated, an official informed. So far, Rs 78, 17,288 has been disbursed through the Covid management fund from April to September.
The Covid fatality rate in Garo Hills is extremely low at just 0.76 percent and there have been just 118 deaths in the region since the pandemic began last year.
During the meeting, the officials present also bid farewell to the Chief Secretary, who will be retiring soon.
