Disturbing vaccine hesitancy trend
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: November 13, 2021 -

LAUNCH of Covid Vaccination Express vehicles aimed at encouraging eligible denizens in all corners of the state to take the Covid-19 vaccine shots underscores relentless effort of the government toeffectively curb the pandemic before its possible resurgence throws life out of gear again as witnessed during the last two waves.

As the government of Manipur, with material and technical support of the Centre, has been doing everything at its disposal to achieve the cent per cent vaccination goal, it is disheartening to learn that the objective is facing manmade obstacle with majority of the populace in the hill areas still doubting efficacy and effectiveness of the vaccines developed to prevent spread of the infectious disease.

From using modern technology like drone to deliver vaccines in Karang Island to forming special teams for reaching out to the unvaccinated section of the population in the hills, the government has been endeavouring to ensure that no citizens are left out from the massive vaccination drive.

In sync with the nationwide campaign to accelerate the process of inoculating the vulnerable citizens, CM N Biren flagging off 80 more vaccination vehicles for the remaining 13 districts on Thursday in yet another push to convince the vaccine-hesitant adults that no one is safe until everybody has been administered the two recommended doses of vaccine.

Moreover, the chief minister's fervent appeal to the public and stakeholders concerned to contribute their mite towards achieving the 100 per cent vaccination rate in the state before arrival of the joyous Christmas rings out the message that the festive mood might get spoilt if the pandemic returns.

For instance, Germany registering record 50,000-plus new cases on Thursday, Russia witnessing fresh outbreaks and locking down parts of some Chinese cities to break fresh chain of virus transmission indicate that the pandemic still remains a threat to all.

Despite being the first country to officially report outbreak of the coronavirus in late 2020 and successfully containing the pandemic when many natio'ns continued to reel under the second or third wave of the virus, there were reports of China punishing a slew of officials for failing to curb sporadic cases of symptomatic infections.

Though majority of China's vast population is vaccinated, authorities are not taking the chance of relying on inoculations and instead have defaulted to their playbook of mass testing and targeted lockdowns to stamp the virus out.

Fresh cases detected in China, known for adopting harsh measures such as sealing entire cities and aggressive testing, proves possibility of the contagion resurfacing and derailing normal activities.

Thus, until there is other better option than vaccination to control the pandemic, no efforts should be spared to unravel for what reason the citizens are unwilling to be a part of the vaccination drive primarily aimed at ensuring safety of all from the destructive virus.

Moreover, it is desired that instead of focusing on jabbing the people settling in isolated areas with scattered population where human interaction is minimal, emphasis should be given towards identifying the unvaccinated people residing in populated areas and thoroughly convincing them that not taking the jab would not only make them vulnerable to the virus but they could be the reason for the most acrimonious Christmas.