SHILLONG: In a positive indication, more than three lakh children in Meghalaya have been vaccinated against measles and rubella under the Measles Rubella (MR) vaccination campaign.
Informing this in a press conference, Health and Family Welfare Minister, AL Hek said that the campaign has been very successful. He also sought the cooperation of all sections of the society of the need to understand the goal of this drive which will protect future citizens of Meghalaya from these deadly diseases.
On the other hand, Secretary of the department, Pravin Bakshi said that till October 8, 1,88,566 boys and 1,93,855 girls have been covered bringing the overall total of 3,82,421 vaccinated children.
As far as coverage of the programme is concerned, East Jaintia Hills district is leading with 65% coverage followed by West Jaintia Hills with 60%, and next is West Khasi Hills district at 42%. East Garo Hills has 32 % coverage.
It is closely followed by South West Garo Hills and South West Khasi Hills who are both at 31 %.
He also maintained that the programme met with some problems where rumours and superstitions were being shared on social media platforms. But the health and education department teams, assisted by the social welfare department have responded by dispelling false rumours by explaining the benefits and importance of this vaccination drive.
“In order to succeed, we must get at least 95% evaluated survey coverage,” he said. Bakshi also said that in order to instill confidence in the minds of the people about the safety of the vaccinations, many Deputy Commissioners, government officers, doctors and nurses are coming forward to vaccinate their own children.
Meanwhile, a popular joint in Shillong, “Delhi Mistan Bhandar is also offering one plate of its famous jalebis to all the children who are being vaccinated with MR vaccination free of cost. The children will have to produce the proof of their vaccination.
