DoHFW on vaccine hesitancy and ‘infodemic’
Morung Express News
Dimapur | January 19
The Directorate of Health and Family Welfare (DoHFW) Nagaland has emphasized the need for accountability from social media users and pages regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccine.
Dr Kevichusa Medikhru, Mission Director, NHM, informed The Morung Express that the ‘infodemic’ around the COVID-19 pandemic has been “very hard to tackle since there are just too many sources with very questionable information.”
The overabundance of information and misinformation alike has given birth to apprehensions about the COVID-19 vaccine.
The first phase of COVID-19 vaccination which began in Nagaland on January 16 has seen healthcare workers including doctors, nurses and supporting staff vaccinated with the Covishield vaccine throughout the State.
While 2,873 healthcare workers have been vaccinated till January 19, there have been cases of vaccine hesitancy in the State, as per reports from official sources.
Some of the main reasons for hesitation among beneficiaries are apprehension and ‘fear psychosis’ regarding the safety of the vaccine, while some with underlying health conditions were reportedly uncertain about the vaccine.
Dr Medikhru stressed the need for everyone to be “responsible, get information from the right sources and thoroughly understand the context before posting anything sensational.”
He recommended relevant sources like WHO, ICMR-Delhi, MoHFW-Delhi, CDC-Delhi, CDC USA, DoHFW- Nagaland, UNICEF, UNDP etc. while adding that, “Social media users and pages need more accountability.”
For real time information, Dr Medikhru also said that details of designated nodal officers at the State and district level will also be shared. All districts have designated spokespersons on COVID-I9 vaccine like the District Immunization Officer (DIO). The DoHFW, Kohima will also give press releases with actual information frequently and the weekly IDSP bulletin will also cover the same on vaccines and COVID-19 control, he added.
Immunized ‘influencers’
“Plenty of people are hesitating but we are working on educating and convincing them,” a senior district official shared on the third day of the vaccination drive.
In an effort to dispel rumors, misinformation and apprehension regarding the vaccine, the DoHFW has formulated a platform where the healthcare workers who are already immunized would become ‘influencers’ in their respective session sites, State Immunization Officer (SIO), Dr Ritu Thurr said.
They will motivate the other healthcare workers and address their concerns about the vaccination, he shared. While steps like Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaigns and media display are also being adopted to reassure those hesitating to take the vaccine, Dr Thurr also said that the decision lies with the individual.
Similarly, Dr Kevichusa also said that “Vaccination with COVID-19 is voluntary but everyone is strongly encouraged to come forward when the time for vaccination arrives.”
Vaccine priority
As per the data released earlier by the DoHFW, the allocation of doses was higher than the beneficiaries in the districts.
On being queried about it, Dr Thurr said that the allocation in the first phase is for both the first and second dose. Those vaccinated in the first phase will be receiving the second dose after 4 weeks from the same allocation.
However, the DoHFW also stated that the State has not received enough vaccine yet even for the healthcare workers and those at the highest risk of infection are being prioritized.
Health care workers are also prioritized to minimize transmission to patients when caring for them. Vaccines are being given only to registered healthcare workers at present.
No reports of AEFI
While minor effects like pain at injection site have been noted, no Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFIs) from the COV1D-19 vaccine has been reported in the State so far, according to Dr Thurr.
Besides pain at the injection site, other minor effects like fever, headache, fatigue, muscle pain etc may be observed in a very small fraction of the beneficiaries. These are all temporary and will subside in a day or two, Dr Medikhru also added.
No change in vaccine brand expected
Covishield, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, Pune in collaboration with Oxford University and Astrazeneca is the vaccine being administered in the State.
Earlier, the SIO pegged the number of doses sent to Nagaland at 25,970. While the vaccine allocation is done by the Centre, Dr Thurr said that as per the guidelines, change of vaccine brand is not expected.
The second phase of vaccination in the State will be as per the central dateline, it was informed.
