It is very encouraging to see that almost all slots for the 18-44 age group vaccination drive in Nagaland are filled up. The first session of vaccination drive for this particular age group began on May 17 and another session will be held across the State on May 18.
Initial vaccine hesitancy seems to have dwindled a bit, given the enthusiasm shown as reflected in the slots being booked quickly and en masse. But this surge in demand for vaccination seems to have emerged mostly from the 18-44 age group. A look at Nagaland’s vaccine registration status in the COWIN portal shows that several of the centers dedicated for vaccinating the 45 years and above age group still have sizable slots available for booking.
A reason for this perhaps could be that many in the 45 years and above category are unfamiliar or cannot navigate through the online registration process.
The government and mass media has publicized the registration process several times over the past months. It now the responsibility of every person in the community to help those who need help in getting themselves registered in the online COWIN portal and receive their jabs.
While the current trend is encouraging, it is important to note that there are many who are still hindered by anti vaccine propaganda and pseudo science. They could be our friends or relatives. Now is not the time to mock them, but to persuade them with correct information about the science of vaccines. While individual choice is to be respected, it is crucial to ensure that any choices people make on vaccination are taken based on correct information. This is a collective responsibility now.
On the State’s part, it is critical that the authorities make certain that supply of vaccines keeps coming. The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) has informed that Nagaland will receive another batch of 30,220 COVID-19 vaccine doses free of cost by this week. More will be required, and the State needs to up its procurement game.
Now is not the time to despair but come together and do our part in defeating this pandemic.
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