A 97-year-old woman got the jab in Ukhrul. She said she wanted to get vaccinated and did not want to die of this disease.
By Tennoson Pheiray, TFM Ukhrul Correspondent
The District Administration and Medical Department of Ukhrul on Monday organised a COVID-19 Awareness and Vaccination programme at Rashing Hall, Awungtang, Ukhrul.
After clarifying doubts and confusions to the queries of the public by doctors, a total of 104 persons came forward to get vaccinated. As per information made available by District Immunisation Officer (DIO) of Ukhrul, Dr Pamza Luikham, out of 104 total, 26 (18 female and 8 male) belonged to the 45 and above age group and 78 (31 female and 47 male) from 45 years below willingly took the Covishield vaccination.
Among them, it was very encouraging to see a 97-year-old woman getting the vaccine on Monday at Rishag Hall, Awugtang, ukhrul.
Masophy Kasar heard the announcement being made through the public address system at their locality around 08:00 am. As narrated by her son, Vareigam Kasar, she had asked him whether the announcement was about release of MGNREGS wages. So he explained to her that it was about the awareness cum vaccination programme on COVID-19. Thereon, she told him that she wanted to get vaccinated saying, “I don’t want to die from this disease.”
So, her family took her to the Rashing Hall, where the vaccination was taking place and got the jab. Vareingam Kasar said, “Maybe, it is psychological, she has been saying that she feels less cold after taking the jab. Right now she is doing very well.”
It is also learnt that, 94-year-old Thiching KS of Khangkhui Khulken and 93-year-old HA Ringaila of Awungtang, Ukhrul have received their first dose of Covishield in April 2021 and they will be given their second dose after July 14, 2021.
There are many other stories of elderly people insisting on getting vaccinated. In one instance, an 84 year old woman insisted on getting the vaccine because she was worried that people might not turn up for her funeral if she died without getting the vaccine. Foolhardy as it may sound, but this is how many elderly people perceive the pandemic. On the other hand, many young people are reluctant to get vaccinated.
Ukhrul District has a population of 1,32,908, out of which only 11,316 have received their first dose of Covisheild vaccine so far.