SHILLONG: Despite the government making attempts to protect infants and children from various diseases by vaccinating them under the intensified Mission Indradhanush, people in many villages of the state are not forthcoming in vaccinating their children because of religious beliefs.
Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, M Talang, the joint director of health services (maternal child health and family welfare) asserted that people in many villages refused to vaccinate their children owing to some religious beliefs.
According to Talang, such incidents are being reported from different villages such as Jarain, Nartiang and Ummulong. Besides, there are many cases even in some pockets of East Khasi Hills district.
On the other hand, J Lyngwa, joint director of health services (MCH &FW) said they have already apprised the deputy commissioner about the problem and added that doctors have conducted awareness programmes to inform people about the vaccines and meetings were also held with religious leaders.
She however said they could not have discussions with leaders of some faiths who are asking people not to go for vaccinations.
“This is in fact trampling on the rights of children,” she said.
EA Paswett, joint director of health services (MCH &FW) meanwhile informed that the third round of Intensified Mission Indradhanush will begin from Thursday and it will continue till seven working days. In the first round, the coverage was 50 per cent while in the second round, it was 45 per cent.
To accelerate the immunisation coverage, Mission Indradhanush was envisaged and implemented since 2015 to rapidly increase the immunisation coverage to 90 per cent.
