10.97 pc vaccination rate in Senapati, lowest in state
Source: Chronicle News Service
Senapati, July 12 2021:
Despite efforts to improve vaccination coverage, Senapati remains lowest in the rate of COVID-19 vaccination among the districts of the state.
According to information provided by District Immunization Officer (DIO) Dr Ngouniba Peter, COVID-19 vaccination rate stands at 10.79 percent in Senapati district while state's vaccination coverage has reached 40.11 percent as on July 10.He said that people initially were hesitant to get the COVID-19 vaccine and even disallowed vaccination team to enter some villages of the district.
Gradually, villagers started to welcome medical team in their villages and started taking the vaccine, Peter said.
It may be mentioned that Senapati DC Mahesh Chaudhari recently convened a meeting with CSO leaders of the district and discussed about low vaccination rate in the district.
When this correspondent enquired a CSO leader about low vaccination rate in Senapati, the leader said the reason for low vaccination in the district could be due to lack of proper awareness among the public especially in the interior areas.
The leader opined that due to less scientific temperament and rumours blended with religious belief and superstitions may discourage the mass to get vaccinated.
Distance and communication problem and non-availability of vaccination facility in their locality could be another possible reason for the low vaccination rate, the leader observed.
When asked about COVID-19 vaccination, an elderly woman told this correspondent that she does not want to get the vaccine at all as she mostly stays at home and does not interact with any outsider.
She also expressed apprehension about getting side effect of the vaccine.
She confidently said that she wants to take care of God given physical body rather than getting the jab and face uncertainties.
On the other-hand, a mother of four children opined that vaccination should not be forced on anybody and it should be voluntary as nobody can give 100 percent guarantee about life.
On query about COVID-19 vaccination, a father of three children said he was confused whether to get or not as he has been receiving lots of information about its harmful effects while on the other side doctors and government have been advocating about its benefits.
The father said that he met some people who were worried after they were vaccinated.
On being asked if he would be vaccinated, the father replied that he is yet to decide.