Nagaland starts registration for vaccination of 18-44 age group

Good responses in Dimapur and Kohima on Day-1; slots available in some CVCs

Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 14

The much awaited process for vaccination of the 18-44 age-group kicked off in Nagaland today with the start of registrations on CoWIN or the Arogya Setu app.

The response on the first day was good, particularly in urban centers like Dimapur and Kohima, though in other districts, slots were still available when last checked at around 8.30 pm on May 14.

In Dimapur, people who logged in at 9:00 am sharp could not get a slot, a state health official informed.

“I was too late as I logged in only around 9:30 am and by that time all slots were booked,” a Duncan Basti resident informed.

When The Morung Express checked at around 11:00 am, there were no slots at any COVID-19 vaccination centre in Kohima and Dimapur for both days – Monday and Tuesday, reserved for vaccinating the 18-44 age group.  

At some designated COVID-19 vaccination centers, however, slots were still available.

As per the district-wise session sites and capacity for vaccination provided by State Directorate of Health and Family Welfare on May 13, the maximum slots were given to Dimapur with a total of 1,850 doses, followed by 1,000 in Mokokchung and 800 each in Wohka and Zunheboto.

When checked again at around 8:00 pm on Friday, while no slots were available in most District Hospitals, there were vacancies in many Community Health Centres and CVCs.

Among others, this newspaper checked availability of slots at Longleng and Zunheboto District Hospital as well as Atihbung, Mongkolemba and Changtongya CHC and was able book a slot. The bookings were canceled immediately thereafter to open up slots for others.      

Queries sent to the state health officials regarding the details of the registration process remained unanswered till the filing of this report.   

While vaccine hesitancy could be still a factor, it appears that many seem to be unaware or not properly versed with the registration process, particularly in the rural areas.

The vaccination drive will be held in 24 session sites on May 17 and 28 sites on May 18. A total of 7,450 doses – 3,650 on Monday and 3,800 on Tuesday – are scheduled to be administrated during the first cycle of vaccination for the 18-14 age group.