Covid vaccination not picking up in rural areas: EKH DC

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJanuary 9, 2022

The meeting of the District Tast Force on COVID-19 & COVID vaccination was recently held under the chairmanship of East Khasi HIlls deputy commissioner I Laloo.

The meeting was called to review the current COVID situation and the progress of COVID vaccination in the district. 

The Deputy Commissioner while addressing the committee members stressed on speeding up the Covid vaccination which is not picking up as desired especially in rural areas. 

With rising cases of Covid-19 and emergence of Omicron variant in the district, there is a possibility of a huge surge in cases. 

This will put a strain on the health care system if many people require hospitalization. 

Vaccination as the first line of defence against the virus prevents severe illness, hospitalization and death and hence must be speed up.

The DC urged upon all stakeholders to continue their efforts in persuading the people to come forward for vaccination. 

The DC also informed that election mode vaccination would be conducted in Mawlai & Mylliem constituency on January 7 & 8 following the success of the campaign conducted on December 15 and 16 in Mawryngkneng and Mawphlang constituency wherein a good number of people got the vaccination. 

Thereafter, similar campaign will be held in Nongkrem and Mawkynrew on January 11 and 12. Teams will stay overnight at the polling stations and mobilize people for vaccination. 

With the starting of Covid vaccination for 15-18 years of age, the committee decided to seek the proactive role of the education department and the heads of educational institution in urging the parents to get their children vaccinated.

Parent-teacher meetings are to be conducted for providing awareness on the importance of Covid vaccination and to mobilize the unvaccinated parents and eligible teens to get vaccinated as early as possible. 

Vaccination camps will be organized in the colleges & school premises. 

Another important decision taken is to enforce Covid Appropriate behaviours (CAB). Penalty will be imposed for violation of CAB protocols in all public places. 

Incident commanders, executive magistrates and police will be conducting inspections to ensure that people wear masks without fail. 

Proper wearing of N-95 masks significantly reduces risk of infection, and if everyone is disciplined in wearing masks, we can reduce infections to a huge event. 

The Superintendent of Police will also ensure that there is no violation of the curfew timings. 

With regards to the tourists and entrants into the state, the Task Force decided to intensify checks at the District entry points so that all entrants adhere to the entry protocols and test/produce negative RT-PCR test certificates, the hotels will be instructed to ensure that systems be put in place to check the negative RT PCR certificate & Covid vaccination status of their guests. Hotels will also ensure that no guests are allowed to leave the hotel while awaiting the Covid test report.