SHILLONG, Jan 9: The District Magistrate of East Khasi Hills Isawanda Laloo has pushed for speeding up of the vaccination drive in the district, which according to the district magistrate
is “not picking up as desired, especially in rural areas”.
The district magistrate made this remark during the meeting of the District Task Force on COVID-19 & the associated vaccination drive, held at the Deputy Commissioner’s office here recently.
The meeting was attended by the District Medical & Health Officer, of East Khasi Hills (EKH), District Immunisation Officer, EKH, District School Education Officer, SDSEO, Deputy Superintendent of Police, EKH, the Incident Commanders of Shillong Zones, Executive Magistrates, Principal & representatives from colleges and schools, representatives from ICDS, NYKs, representative from Shillong All Faiths Forum, among others.
Addressing the stakeholders, the deputy commissioner, who is also the chairman of the task force, pointed out that with rising cases of COVID-19 and emergence of the new variant of the coronavirus in the district, it is imperative for all eligible citizens to get vaccinated.
“Because of its high transmissibility, there is a possibility of a huge surge in cases. This will put a strain on the healthcare system if many people require hospitalization. Vaccination as the first line of defence against the virus prevents severe illness, hospitalisation and death and hence must be sped up,” she said.
The East Khasi Hills deputy commissioner has urged upon all stakeholders to continue their efforts in persuading the people to come forward for vaccination.
In this context, she the success of the election mode campaign conducted in December last year in Mawryngkneng and Mawphlang constituencies wherein a good number of people were provided the vaccines. She added that similar campaign will be held in Nongkrem and Mawkynrew on January 11 and 12.
Teams will stay overnight at the polling stations and mobilise people for vaccination, Laloo informed.
In view of the vaccination for 15-18 years age group being under way, the task force has decided to seek the proactive role of the Education department and the heads of educational institution in urging parents to get their children vaccinated.
“Parent-teacher meetings are to be conducted for providing awareness on the importance of COVID vaccination and to mobilise the unvaccinated parents and eligible teens to get vaccinated as early as possible. Vaccination camps will be organised in college and school premises,” a statement issued here said.
In the meeting, the task force also decided to rigorously enforce COVID-appropriate behaviour (CAB). “Penalty will be imposed for violation of CAB protocols in all public places.
Incident Commanders, Executive Magistrates and Police will be conducting inspections to ensure that people wear masks without fail.
Proper wearing of N-95 masks significantly reduces risk of infection, and if everyone is disciplined in wearing masks, we can reduce infections to a huge extent. The Superintendent of Police will also ensure that there is no violation of the curfew timings,” the statement said.
With regard to entry into Meghalaya, the task force has decided to intensify checks at the entry points in the district to ensure that all entrants adhere to the entry protocols and test/ produce negative RT-PCR test certificates.
“The hotels will be instructed to ensure that systems be put in place to check the negative RTPCR certificate & COVID vaccination status of their guests. Hotels will also ensure that no guests are allowed to leave the hotel while awaiting the COVID test report,” the statement said.
During the meeting, routine immunisation was also reviewed.
In view of the low coverage of immunisation among children, three rounds of Mission Indradhanush will be conducted on February 7, March 7, and April 7 to ensure that all left out and unvaccinated children between 0-2 years get the due vaccines.
Moreover, intensified pulse polio immunisation will be conducted on January 24 to administer polio drops to children from 0-5 years of age.