The State government has set a deadline of December 23 for all government employees to get themselves vaccinated with Covid-19 vaccine.
The order issued yesterday by Chief Secretary Rebecca V Suchiang was issued in compliance with the order of the Meghalaya High Court on December 6.
“All government employees who are yet to be vaccinated against Govid-19 are to get themselves vaccinated before December 23, 2021,” the order said.
It also said that in the event the employees are not eligible for the vaccination due to medical reasons, the District AEFI (Adverse Events Following Immunisation) Committee which is present in all districts will review their case.
“Based on the committee’s recommendations and certification only, an individual may be exempted from taking the Covid vaccine,” the order said while also asking all departments to follow this protocol with immediate effect.
It may be mentioned that on December 6, the division bench of Meghalaya High Court has directed the State government to adopt an aggressive policy in undertaking awareness drives and trying to convince people to vaccinate themselves, not only for their own benefit, but also for the protection of others.
“It will also be open to the State to formulate rules or guidelines so that persons unwilling to take vaccination do not expose themselves to others,” the High Court said.
Moreover, in another order issued yesterday, the High Court asked the State government not to relent on the vaccination drive “or trying to persuade people to take the vaccination or even provide for disincentives upon refusal”.
Since the number of Covid cases in the State has been on the decline, the High Court also decided that the next hearing on the matter will take place on February 1, 2022.
