Advocacy programme on COVID-19 vaccination organised
Source: Chronicle News Service

Senapati, July 24 2021: An advocacy programme on COVID-19 vaccination was jointly organised by State Health Society, Manipur and District Health Society, Senapati at DRDA conference hall here on Saturday.

Senapati deputy commissioner Mahesh Chaudhari in his address said that the countries where people were fully vaccinated have returned to normal life and urged the gathering to disseminate information about the importance of Covid-19 vaccination in order bring back normalcy in the district as well.

He expressed concern over the vaccine hesitancy among the people in the district, saying that despite a lot of effort put in by the department concerned, the rate of vaccination in the district remains the lowest in the state.

The deputy commissioner cautioned that unless 75% of the adult population are vaccinated in the district, strict containment measures would continue till Christmas celebration.

He encouraged students and village leaders to get vaccinated and convince other people to get their Covid-19 vaccine shots as well.

ADM Senapati Adahrii Maheo in his welcome address said that the only way to get out of the Covid-19 is to get vaccinated and urged the people not to pay heed to fake news on social media about the Covid-19 vaccination.

State Covid community engagement team and consultant RKSK/AH consultant NHM, Philazan Shang Shimray shared the objectives of the programme which included sensitising community leaders through meetings for wider coverage and positive response towards Covid-19 vaccination and gaining confidence and support for mass vaccination in the state.

She said that at this juncture it is imperative to provide a genuine and accurate information regarding the vaccine from the authority concerned because people are confused and hesitant to come forward as vaccine misinformation is widespread on social media.

She added that the programme is to bridge the gap and carry out the vaccination drive as it is one of the most effective measures against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Retired additional director (public health) Dr L Arke Singh spoke on the importance of Covid-19 vaccination, pointing out that the main protection against COVID-19 is through vaccination.

He said that when the vaccination is available at their doorsteps, people should avail the facility and not fall prey to fake news on social media.

Arke then urged the village and student leaders to play active role in propagating the importance of vaccination and prevent the onset of third wave in the district.

Surveillance medical officer WHO Dr Apao gave a slide-show presentation on the importance of vaccination, explaining in details the various myths and confusion so as to make the people understand the importance of getting vaccinated against Covid-19.According to Dr Apao, in the last 14 days, the average daily positive case in Senapati was 13.The total vaccine doses administered in Manipur is 11,64,069 with 10,10,902 people receiving the first dose and the percentage of eligible population vaccinated with at least first doses is 52.2%, whereas total doses administered in Senapati district is 26,243 with 22,541 people receiving the first dose and percentage of eligible beneficiaries administered at least the first dose is only 14.6%.He further informed that the percentage of people who died due to Covid-19 after vaccination with two doses of Covishield is only 0.20 per cent and thus urged the people to get vaccinated to protect themselves from serious illness/death and protect their loves ones from getting infected from them.

Dr Apao explained in detail to clear the myths and confusion about Covid-19 vaccination like development of vaccines, clinical trial phases, SARS COV-19, immune system, vaccine development history, how Covid vaccines were developed so quickly, timeline for development of vaccine in a year, Covid -19 vaccine types and others.

The programme was chaired by DPM Senapati RK Elizabeth while vote of thanks was delivered by DIO Senapati Dr Ngouniba Peter.

The programme was attended by Senapati CMO, doctors from district hospital, various tribal student leaders of the district, village leaders, office bearers of Senapati District Students' Association and others.

There was an interaction hour during which various doubts, questions, myths and others with regard to Covid-19 vaccination were clarified.

It may be mentioned that Senapati district has the lowest vaccination rate in the state which stands at 14.56 per cent till July 23 .

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