Nagaland’s average on vaccination coverage ‘very low’

(Left) Neiphiu Rio addressing Tikka Utsav (COVID-19 vaccination festival) and launching of new vaccination centres programme at District Hospital, Dimapur on April 13. (Right) COVID-19 vaccination mela was launched at Town Hall, Tuensang by DC & Chairman DTF, Tuensang Kumar Ramnikant, IAS in the presence of CMO and DTF members on April 13. The mela is scheduled on April 13 and 14. On the first day, 67 people who are above 45 years of age got vaccinated.  (DIPR Photo)

(Left) Neiphiu Rio addressing Tikka Utsav (COVID-19 vaccination festival) and launching of new vaccination centres programme at District Hospital, Dimapur on April 13. (Right) COVID-19 vaccination mela was launched at Town Hall, Tuensang by DC & Chairman DTF, Tuensang Kumar Ramnikant, IAS in the presence of CMO and DTF members on April 13. The mela is scheduled on April 13 and 14. On the first day, 67 people who are above 45 years of age got vaccinated. (DIPR Photo)

CM appeals to dispel rumours and misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines

Morung Express News 
Dimapur | April 13

Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio has underscored the need to dispel rumours and misinformation circulating in social media about the COVID-19 vaccines, so that more citizens come forward to avail the vaccination drive.

The CM said the Nagaland’s average on vaccination coverage is very low compared to other states and the national average as the state’s citizens were hesitant due to rumours and misinformation.

Addressing the Tikka Utsav (COVID-19 vaccination festival) and launching of new vaccination centres programme here at District Hospital, Dimapur, on April 13, Rio called upon the health workers and village authorities to create awareness among the masses to go for vaccination. He said even the churches can play a vital role in informing the people on the need to take the vaccine shots.

The CM said whereas many countries were facing acute shortage of the COVID-19 vaccines, India is fortunate as it has enough vaccines to cover all its targeted citizens and also exporting the vaccines to other countries.

He called upon the people to avail the free COVID-19 vaccination opportunity extended by the government.

Rio also congratulated all the doctors, nurses, health workers and the community as a whole for coming together in fight against COVID-19. He said the state has so far been able to effectively control the disease due cooperation among all, starting from government level to the village level.

He however cautioned that with the second wave of COVID-19 looming large over the country, every citizen in the state has to remain vigilant and act responsibly in maintaining SOPs and other Covid-19 guidelines.

The CM further said that Dimapur being the gateway of Nagaland, the administration, health and frontline workers and public alike should be on full alert and work with team spirit.

Principal Secretary, Health & Family Welfare department, Amardeep Singh Bhatia, in his address also said there should not be “any laxity” and that COVID appropriate behaviours must always be followed. On upadate of the vaccination drive in the State, Bhatia said so far 51% of health care workers, 54.5% of frontline workers and 7.3% of citizens (45 years and above) have been vaccinated.

Chief Medical Officer, Dimapur, Dr Mereninla Senlem, in her report on COVID-19 management in Dimapur, said with Dimapur district accounting to 50% of the COVID-19 cases in the state and with the second wave of COVID-19 looming, screening and surveillance works have been intensified at strategic location including Dimapur Airport. She also informed that DHD COVID 19-Hospital has the capacity to accommodate 50 patients.  

District Immunization Officer, Dr Rebecca Y Sema, in her report on COVID-19 Vaccination informed that there are altogether 52 vaccination centres in the district and so far 3003 Healthcare Workers, 13244 frontline workers and 8452 general public have been vaccinated. On availability of vaccine, she said that there are still 14230 doses of vaccine available for the district.

Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur Rajesh Soundararajan, who is also the chairman of the District Task Force, Dimapur, chaired the programme.