Biren launches 75-day free vaccination of Covid precautionary dose

Imphal: Manipur has a low Covid vaccination rate, people who are above 18 years and eligible must take as well as encourage others to take the vaccination, chief minister N. Biren Singh said at the launching of ‘Covid Vaccine Amrit Mahotsava’ Jan Abhiyan Free Covid Precaution Dose for 18-59 age group at the chief minister’s secretariat on Friday.

The vaccines are available at all government vaccination centres, Biren said.

The Vaccine Mahotsava will continue till September 30. It is organised by the National Health Mission and Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, Manipur.

The state is witnessing some gradual increase in the number of Covid positive cases over the past few days. However, it is unfortunate that there are many people who are reluctant to take the vaccination even when it is provided free, the chief minister told reporters, highlighting that only 62 percent (14,52,293) has taken the first dose of vaccination and only 51 percent (11,98,953) has taken the second dose. “We are targeting vaccination of around 23,41,000.”

He appealed to the people against taking Covid-19 lightly and said, “We have already lost more than 2000 precious lives during the past Covid waves despite of all efforts, and that another wave of Covid would hugely affect the state.”

The chief minister urged all those who are yet to take any dose of the vaccination against believing in superstition and to instead take the vaccination.

He said since children below 12 years of age are yet to be vaccinated, the government has decided on closure of schools for them for some time and that it could be extended if the need arise.

The government welcomes all ideas and suggestions from the general public. The government was able to fight the pandemic earlier with support and cooperation of the general public and would still need support and cooperation of the public to fight it again, the chief minister said.

The programme was also attended by health and family welfare minister Dr Sapam Ranjan Singh and minister for public health engineering department, consumer affairs, food and public distribution department L. Susindro Meitei, department officials, among others.