Vaccination drive on mission mode need of the hour
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: October 01, 2021 -

NATIONAL Health Mission (NHM), Manipur State Mission director Dr N Shyamjai's appeal to the eligible beneficiaries to get inoculated before arrival of the festive season and confirmation that only 63.4 per cent of state's adult population have received the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine till date indicate prevalence of vaccine hesitancy.

By focussing on the vaccination drive during the Wednesday's launch function of the National Deworming Day, which is equally important to ensure healthy physical development of the younger population, Dr Shyamjai has rung out the message that the immediate goal of the health department is to contain the spread of novel coronavirus before festive events dilute whatever gains the state has made in the fight against the pandemic.

Unsurprisingly, Covid-19 vaccination coverage in rural pockets of the state has been comparatively poor.

While reluctance among the rural folks, including residents in the sparsely populated hill areas, could be driven by the low rate of contracting Covid-19 and fatalities than those in the urban and suburban pockets, the high daily positivity rate in some of the hill districts suggests that the virus could strike anybody, anytime.

Though, it would be difficult to convince the vaccine-hesitant folk' to take the jab, the State Health Society seems to be determined to achieve the goalof herd immunity through extension of the vaccination programme in the rural areas.

Having roped in nearly 40 volunteers to mobilise people and refer for vaccination and assuring monetary incentive under the Project Swaraksha to any local volunteer who makes a referral to vaccinate any unvaccinated individual, the health authorities are leaving no stone unturned to tame the viral disease.

For the record, the vaccination programme in the state commenced in January 15 this year amid widespread rumours on the social media platforms and politics over efficacy of the two vaccines developed by India.

The rumours continued weeks into the vaccination campaign thereby leading to low jab rates among the rural population, especially in the hills.

The hesitancy or fear of the vaccine was even attributed to the religious or cultural beliefs of the rural tribal populations consequently nullifying all explanations and reasoning by the medical professionals.

Besides rumours, reports of Covid-related deaths in the state and elsewhere even after taking the dose unarguably added to the doubts and hesitancy.

Even if the speculative theories floated by the social media users against vaccination have subsided to a significant extent in recent months, nearly 40 per cent of the state's eligible beneficiaries still hesitant to acknowledge overwhelming mandate by the health experts on efficacy of the vaccines in reducing the risk of contracting Covid-19 merits thorough introspection by the health authorities.

Apart from the unvaccinated people either unimpressed with effectiveness of the vaccine to shield them from the virus or believing in isolation as the best form of defence against the disease, possibility of the left-out population unable to access vaccination facilities cannot be ruled out.

Therefore, there is every reason to believe that purposeful implementation of Project Swaraksha, which is a countrywide campaign aimed to solve 'Vaccine Hesitancy' in the rural areas would help all the targeted beneficiaries to contribute their mite in attaining the herd immunity goal before the virus causes further destruction to life and livelihood.