East Shillong MLA Ampareen Lyngdoh today wondered why MLAs and MDCs are not considered as frontline workers when it comes to their priority placing in receiving the Covid-19 vaccination.
“Why not extend an invitation for scheduling MLAs and MDCs for vaccination?” Lyngdoh said in the Assembly.
She also said that she has been reading that there are many non-takers of the vaccine.
“Does the government have the details of those who refused the vaccine? What was their status of work, what efforts have the government put in to impress upon these recipients, especially frontliners, of the importance of the vaccination?” the Congress legislator said.
In his reply, Health and Family Welfare Minister AL Hek called upon the members to volunteer for vaccination as and when they qualify under the age-appropriate category.
The minister informed that, in order to tackle vaccine hesitancy, brand ambassadors have been empanelled at the state-level as well as in each district and these ambassadors have all been vaccinated so that they will be able to advocate vaccination by leading by example.
He also informed that an intensive digital media campaign in English, Khasi and Garo has been carried out using social media and more traditional media.
As of yesterday, a total of 63,752 vaccination shots have been administered of which 54,749 are first doses and 9,003 are second doses.
Hek also informed that a total of 19,186 healthcare workers have received the jab, which is 64 percent coverage, and a total of 26,593 frontline workers have been vaccinated so far, which works out to 60 percent.
