Expedite administering vaccine, especially in rural areas, writes Sushmita Dev to Health Minister

July 1: Amid reports of shortage of Covid vaccine in Cachar since the last few days, former Silchar MP & President of All India Mahila Congress, Sushmita Dev has written a letter to state health minister Keshab Mahanta on Thursday. In the letter, Sushmita Dev stated, “There are reports of the need to increase the number of vaccinations in the rural areas of Cachar. As per the reports coming in, hundreds are queuing up for vaccination in the rural area designated centres for hours and returning without getting vaccinated due to shortage of vaccines. This is causing people great anxiety and must be looked into immediately as after wailing for hours they are returning disappointed.”

“As per my information the Total population in Cachar District is about 19,33,282 and total doses of vaccine administered till date is – 1st dose –318036, 2nd dose-52418 e.g. only 52418 people are fully vaccinated. At this rate, it will take more than a year to vaccinate people. Vaccine for minor Children (0 to 17 years e.g. 6,75,828 nos.) has not yet been launched at the National level,” added Ms Dev.

The pace of vaccination in the rural areas of Cachar District, Assam is very slow.

People are queuing up for hours only to be turned away.

Many are concerned about vaccination of children.

My letter to Health Minister Assam @keshab_mahanta ji raising these issues.@dccachar pic.twitter.com/SXKrGXzT89

— Sushmita Dev (@sushmitadevinc) July 1, 2021

The former MP specified that this is an important matter as because the experts have opined that there is likely to be a third wave effecting mainly the children and so the vaccination of our children is a cause of great concern. As such, she requested that vaccination for children be taken up immediately to keep them safe.

However, it needs mention here that vaccinating those below 18 years of age has not been yet undertaken in the country. Covaxin has been granted permission for trail of the vaccine of the age group of 2 to 18 years. But it seems that this would take time. ICMR too has not evaluated directives for vaccination of those under 18 years. At this juncture, it is beyond the grasp of the Health Minister of Assam to start vaccination of children as demanded by Sushmita Dev. Such policy formulations are done by ICMR under Union Health Ministry and not by state governments.

It needs mention that due to non-availability of Covishield vaccine, hundreds of beneficiaries blocked road at Rongpur area of Silchar on Wednesday. Even a few days ago, due to non-availability of vaccine at TT College Centre, people reacted and blocked the roads.