SHILLONG, March 30: The Indian Social Responsibility Network (ISRN), which is assisting the state government in the COVID-19 vaccination programme, has revealed that a large percentage of the rural population in four districts is refusing to take the vaccine.
The ISRN is working in West Khasi Hills, Ri-Bhoi, East Garo Hills and South Garo Hills.
ISRN Training and Monitoring Officer, Daiahun Khonglam said they have categorised the villages reluctant to cooperate in the vaccination drive as “refusal villages”. “There are a large number of ‘refusal villages’ in the four districts,” Khonglam said, while admitting that she did not have the exact number of these refusal villages.
The ISRN is working in close association with the Rangbah Shnong and religious leaders in the villages to sensitise the locals on the need for vaccination, she said, adding that they are currently focusing on the 12-14 age group.
“We are holding street plays in schools to create awareness about the vaccine,” she said.
Khonglam said they have set up block offices in each of the four districts to spread awareness on the COVID-19 vaccine.
ISRN team leader, Dr Richa Sharma said the organisation is helping the government to increase the vaccine coverage and also to create awareness among the citizens on the need to get inoculated.
She stressed that the vaccination drive in Meghalaya needs an impetus, especially in areas with low coverage and those that are inaccessible.
“We are focusing on people with co-morbidities, the marginalised population and those who live in inaccessible areas,” Dr Richa said.
She also said that they are providing training to the healthcare workers besides collaborating with active self-help groups to conduct awareness programmes on vaccination.
