Covid test, inoculation at same complex!
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 25 2025: Concerns have emerged over the potential risks of children in need of immunisation contracting the new COVID-19 sub-variant at the Model Immunisation Centre in the RD Wing of Lamphelpat, and spreading the same to the masses, owing to the location of the immunisation centre and the COVID -19 Testing Centre in the same complex.

Although the new sub-variant is said to be much milder compared to the previous deadly variants, health experts have stressed the need to be extra careful, especially for those with co-morbidities and young children.

Children till 16 years of age are being brought by their parents to the Model Immunisation Centre for routine immunisation to get vaccinated against various diseases.

However, the Immunisation Centre is located in the same complex as the COVID Testing Centre, which is raising the question on the safety of the children getting immunised.

With the rapid spread of the new sub-variant, many people are flocking to the COVID Sample Collection and Testing Centre to get tested.

However, often times, many do not know the location of the Testing Centre and come to the Immunisation Centre for enquiries.

Amid the scenario, concerns are growing among parents as to whether they are putting their children at risk of getting infected by bringing them for immunisation.

Speaking to The People's Chronicle, one parent conveyed that although his child's immunisation date has arrived, he is hesitant to take his kid to get the vaccines at the Immunisation Centre as the Testing Centre is located in the same complex.

He continued that if the government does not take prompt precautionary measures, there is high risk of cross infection between new bom babies and unvaccinated individuals, who fall under vulnerable groups.

"There is a need for the health authorities to pay strict attention to ensure child health services are not impacted by the ongoing COVID surveillance," he asserted.

In this regard, Health Department's state immunisation officer Dr Ksh Memcha spoke to this daily and claimed that immunisation activities are being done at immunisation centres with strict adherence to COVID protocol.

The centres are regularly sanitised, with maintenance of social distancing and non-entry of unmasked persons.

She continued that a demarcation would be done to prevent those coming to get tested for COVID or for any other reason except for getting their children vaccinated from entering the Immunisation Centre.

On the issue concerning the location of both the Immunisation Centre and the COVID-19 Testing Centre in the same complex, she said that the matter would be taken up with the higher authorities.

Meanwhile, Dr Ksh Memcha appealed to parents and guardians not to panic and stay calm, and ensure their children do not miss the routine immunisation.

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