Vax hesitancy poses challenge in Covid fight

August 26, 2021 63 Views No Comment

DIMAPUR, AUG 26 (NPN) : Despite inoculating a total of 8.27 lakh doses of Covid-19 vaccines across the state till last week, senior government officers, who were assigned to all districts of the State to review the management of Covid-19, have told the state government that low turnout for vaccinations was a major concern.

The officers tabled their reports at a review meeting with principal commissioner home, Abhijit Sinha, held in the secretariat conference hall on August Wednesday. The officers expressed the view that the main challenge in achieving vaccinations was due to vaccine hesitancy in the minds of the people.

The officers also observed that awareness campaign on the COVID vaccines needed to be boosted especially in the rural areas. Further, they suggested that there was a need to sensitize community leaders, NGOs, GBs and Faith-based organizations at the earliest. They also suggested that misinformation and fake news needed to be addressed rationally and logically. The senior officers also told the government that write ups or videos in local dialects countering the viral fake news should be prepared and disseminated to the people.

Further, at the meeting, the officers gave a brief update on the situation of their assigned districts and actions suggested to improve the overall management of Covid-19 throughout the State. Sensing the need to be prepared for any eventuality in the event of a third wave hitting the state, the state government has decided to continue putting stress on COVID testing, vaccination coverage and strengthening of healthcare infrastructure in the districts.

To intensively review the steps being taken to manage the pandemic at the district level, the government had assigned a senior administrative officer along with a senior officer from the health department to each district. Each team of officers visited their assigned districts and interacted with officials of district task force, CSOs and others to review and guide them in refining /improving Covid-19 management.

Centre allots 2 cr vax doses for teachers
States asked to vaccinate teachers on priority before Teachers’ Day
NEW DELHI, AUG 25 (AGENCIES): Centre has allocated more than two crore additional COVID-19 vaccines to States to vaccinate school teachers and non-teaching staff on a priority basis in the run-up to Teachers Day on September 5.
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said that these additional doses would be sent from August 27 to 31.
He said that more than two crore additional COVID-19 vaccine doses are being made available to states this month and they have been asked to vaccinate all school teachers on priority before Teachers’ Day on September 5.
Meanwhile, National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) will soon hold a meeting to devise a roadmap for introducing Zydus Cadila’s Covid vaccine in the inoculation drive and prioritising beneficiaries focusing on those aged 12-18 years with comorbidities.
The indigenously developed world’s first DNA-based needle-free COVID-19 vaccine ZyCoV-D received emergency use authorisation from the drug regulator on August 20 making it the first vaccine to be administered in the age group of 12-18 years in the country.
It has been reported that the three-dose vaccine available for those in the age group of 12-18 years besides adults, will be rolled out in October.

Source: http://www.nagalandpost.com/vax-hesitancy-poses-challenge-in-covid-fight/239001.html