Nagaland: Health workers response to COVID-19 vaccination ‘below expectation’

Misinformation, apprehensions about its side effects and technical issues chief reasons, says H&FW Minister  

Morung Express News
Kohima | February 15

The responses of frontline medical workers to the COVID-19 vaccination drive in Nagaland is below expectation, informed  the Minister of Health & Family Welfare (H&FW), S Pangnyu Phom today. 

The State joined the vaccination drive on the nationwide launching programme on January 16. 

As of February 10, 2021, around 31% of the registered health care workers in the state were vaccinated, Pangnyu added in reply to a ‘starred question’ in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly put up by MLA Dr Chumben Murry.

In the reply, Pangnyu further stressed that COVID-19 vaccination is voluntary and not mandatory and attributed several reasons for the low response in the State.  

One such reason was “unfounded misinformation and news of adverse events” on various social media platform, he said. 

Being a new vaccine, there were apprehensions about its side effects leading to hesitancy amongst beneficiaries, he added.  The Minister also informed that the low response resulted on account of the COWIN portal’s instability and poor internet connectivity.    

On being queried as to what actions the department had taken to allay fear and improve vaccination response, Pangnyu replied that several steps were taken.  Among others, it conducted series of sensitisation workshops to motivate field workers including ANM (Auxiliary Nurse Midwifery), ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activist), & AWWs (Anganwadi Workers) by Community Health Officers (CHOs), he said. 

Similar workshops for faith based organizations, civil societies, media, village functionaries, government officials etc at the state, district and block levels were also held, he added. 

There was also dissemination of information on the safety and efficacy of the vaccine through local print media, social media, AIR, Doordhashan etc, apart from circulating videos by known medical practitioners and senior officials as “influencers” on positive messages after getting vaccinated, the Minister added. 

Pangnyu also reiterated that the Covishield vaccine being used in the state has been introduced in the country after recommendations of experts and clearance based on its safety and efficacy. “All logistics required for the vaccination drive are in place. Further, there is sufficient stock of vaccine,” he added.