Shillong, Jan 16 (UNI) Meghalaya on Saturday joined the rest of the country in the largest vaccination drive in the world against COVID-19 with Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma
terming it as a ‘historic day’.
The launch of COVID-19 vaccination kicked off in the presence of the Chief Minister at the
North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS),
which is one of the vaccination sites in the State.
A total of 100 health workers were inoculated at NEIGRIHMS and 732 were vaccinated in
the remaining districts of Meghalaya.
“It is a historic and proud moment for the country for many reasons and one of them is
that the vaccines are Made in India and our country and scientists have shown to the
world the kind of work we can do to fight COVID," Sangma said.
In the first phase today 100 healthcare workers received their first shot at NEIGRIHMS
from East Khasi Hills District and they would receive their second shot on the 28th day.
“According to the scientists the immunity against COVID-19 would develop in 45 days
and before that those immunized would have to take care," Sangma said.
In the second phase of the vaccination drive, frontline workers would get their COVID-19
vaccine shot. After that citizens over 50 years and with co-morbidity would get their vaccine
shots.
Sangma said that rolling out the vaccine for COVID 19 was a positive step towards the
fight against this viral infection.
He cautioned the citizens to remember that the fight against the virus will still continue
despite the vaccination drive.
The Chief Minister further informed that the first phase of vaccination for 16,000 health
workers may take three to four weeks’ time.
Till filling of this report, Principal Secretary Health and Family Welfare, P. Sampath Kumar
said more than 800 healthcare workers were vaccinated in nine districts that includes 24 at Mawphlang Community Health Centre in East Khasi Hills district, 60 in Resubelpara
Community Health Centre, North Garo Hills district. 100 in Jowai Civil Hospital, West Jaiñtia
Hills District, 101 in Ampati Civil Hospital, South West Garo Hills district, 49 in Umsning
Community Health Centre, Ri Bhoi district, 100 in Sutnga Community Health Centre Centre,
East Jaiñtia Hills district, 100 in Nongstoin Community Health Centre, West Khasi Hills
district, 98 in Holy Cross Hospital, West Garo Hills district and 10 beneficiaries in
Williamnagar Civil Hospital, East Garo Hills district.
Clarifying as to why two districts out of the total 11 in the State were left out in the
first phase of vaccination, the Chief Minister said by Sunday the vaccination will be
rolled out in those districts too.
“It is only because of connectivity issues that the State authorities could not include
the two districts, he explained.
As of Saturday, vaccination drive was conducted in ten different locations in nine
districts the State.
“We have been fighting COVID-19 for almost a year now and this has really taken
a big toll I should say on the nation, on the economy and lives of every citizen and
today this vaccine roll out is a very positive step towards our fight against COVID-19,”
he said.
“ We have been fighting Covid-19 in many ways but this vaccination program and
the rolling out of this is a historic day, a day to be proud and the day for citizens of
this nation and the world as a whole, to feel confident that we will be able to
overcome this very soon,” Sangma, who himself recently recovered from the viral
infection.
Stating that the inoculation process would take time to complete, he also cautioned
people not to let their guards down against the virus and follow all necessary Covid
protocols to contain the spread of the disease.
“We should all always remember that the fight against COVID-19 will continue. It's
not that this vaccine will immediately take it away and tomorrow everything will be
normal. The vaccination program will take time to complete, everybody cannot get
vaccinated at the same time, maybe this program will continue for six months, eight
months, maybe a year and even more. Therefore I request and urge all the citizens
of Meghalaya that we should not take it lightly, we should continue to follow all the
norms and the precautions and the guidance that has been given by the health
department,” he underscored.
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