The Ri-Bhoi District Medical and Health Officer (DMHO) sent a message to all health workers and residents of the district about the safety of the Covid-19 vaccine being administered in Meghalaya by taking the injection himself today.
The vaccination of healthcare workers in Nongpoh Civil Hospital saw Dr M Mawrie and others get their shots today.
“We had been waiting for a long time for a vaccine to fight against the coronavirus pandemic, which is now fulfilled, and the vaccination drive is being held all over the entire country, including Meghalaya. The vaccine (Covishield) has been approved by the government of India and the Union Health Ministry and we should therefore not have any suspicions about its effects,” Dr Mawrie said.
Although it is not 100 percent guaranteed that a recipient of the vaccine will not contract the coronavirus, Covishield does prevent severe infection, he assured.
So far, 134 health workers have been vaccinated in Ri-Bhoi and the target is to immunize up to 500 in the next few weeks. The vaccination drive is going on at Umsning Community Health Centre, Nongpoh Civil Hospital. Soon to follow are other health centres and private hospitals, such as the Bethany Outreach Hospital.
