3986 healthcare workers have been inoculated in the state out of the targeted 7310, without any report of major AEFI (Adverse Effect Following Immunisation) till date.
TFM Desk
Manipur Health Department on Saturday urged the general population not to be misled by all the rumours creating doubts about the safety and efficacy of COVID vaccines and also to cooperate with the efforts being made by the government for a successful vaccination drive for protection of ourselves from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Penal action can be taken against the person or organization, who are found to have indulged in activities of circulating misleading rumours under the provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and the Indian Penal Code, 1860, warned link – additional chief secretary (Health & FW) P Vaiphei in a release.
The release said that it has been reported that unfounded and misleading rumours are circulating in the social and other media, creating doubt about the safety and efficacy of the vaccines. Such kind of rumour mongering, particularly by vested interests, can create unwarranted doubts among the people at large thereby creating a negative impact in the effort of the government for a successful vaccination drive for eradication of COVID – 19 pandemic, it added.
The government of India in collaboration with states/ UTs, has launched the inoculation drive of COVID-19 vaccination from January 16, 2021 onwards across the country with two vaccines – Covishield, developed by Oxford-Astraženeca and manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, Pune and Covaxin, developed and manufactured by Bharat Biotech Limited, Hyderabad.
The release also said that the National Regulatory Authority in the country has found both the vaccines safe and immunogenic. In Manipur, COVID vaccination started on the day of the national launch by Prime Minister followed by state launch by chief minister with Covishield vaccine only and has been continuing smoothly without any report of major AEFI (Adverse Effect Following Immunisation) till date.
The enthusiasm and voluntary acceptance by the medical doctors in the state, with the excellent participation of our premier medical institutions led by RIMS, JNIMS and Shija Hospitals reflecting the same in clear terms for the general population, it added.
As of Saturday, 3986 healthcare workers have been inoculated in the state out of the targeted 7310. Till now 78 sessions have been held across 12 vaccination sites. On Saturday, Raj Medicity has been added as one of the private vaccination sites, besides Shija hospital.
The beneficiaries of the vaccination drive on Saturday included: Senapati CMO Dr Pfokreho Pfoze; Bishnupur CMO Dr Laishram Gojendra Singh; Noney CMO Dr G Majachunglu; and Chandel CMO Dr Serthani Serbum, amongst others.
There are 136 (125 general public and 11 CAPF) active cases in the state as of Saturday. The cumulative positive cases stands at 29052 and the deadly virus has claimed 371 lives so far. The state has been gaining momentum in reducing the number of new positive cases with daily double digits reports for the past several weeks.