At a recent public function, CM Biren had threatened to book the media house that published a news item about COVID-19 vaccine that supposedly created “fear psychosis”.
TFM Report
All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) and Editors Guild Manipur (EGM) on Sunday took strong exception to Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh’s claim that an international news item about COVID-19 vaccine in a local daily created “fear psychosis” about the ongoing vaccination drive amongst the people. The journalists’ bodies also appealed to the state government not to take “any kind of strong decision” regarding the matter.
At a recent public function, Biren had threatened to book the media house that published the news, under the National Disaster Management Act, 2005. He claimed that the news item in the lead of the local daily created fear psychosis amongst the public when there was vaccine hesitancy in the state.
Regarding the matter, AMJWU and EGM held a meeting on Sunday at the Manipur Press Club. In a joint statement, the journalists’ bodies said that it was learnt that the news item was provided by a Delhi based news agency, Indo-Asian News Service (IANS) and it was an authentic report carried by several national and international media, including Hindustan Times, CNBC, India TV amongst others. So far there is no report of the government of India stating that the particular news item is creating fear amongst the public, it added.
The statement also maintained that the news item was published in the international page as a normal story and not in the lead as claimed by the chief minister. The news about America was about the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines and not the ones — Covishield and Covaxin — being used in India.
AMJWU and EGM also condemned the sharing of the news item with modification on social media platforms. It urged the state government to take action against people scolding journalists of the state, who are working tirelessly during the pandemic, on social media platforms.
Stating the two journalists’ bodies always welcome suggestions regarding any news, it urged the public to approach the bodies instead of venting their anger on social media platforms.
Maintaining the media of the state endorse the vaccination drive of the state government, the journalists’ bodies urged the Manipur Government organise media awareness and press briefing to get rid of vaccine hesitancy.
The news item in question
News agency, IANS had reported on June 24 that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that more than 1,200 cases of myocarditis and pericarditis have been reported across the country (USA) in young people who received the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.
Experts of CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices had met on June 23 to review risks of these rare heart problems in the vaccinated younger population, reported Xinhua news agency.
A total of 1,226 cases of myocarditis and pericarditis were reported in young people who received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines through June 11, according to the CDC.
There have been 267 cases reported after receiving one dose of the mRNA vaccines, and 827 reported cases after two doses. There are 132 additional cases where the number of doses received is unknown, according to the CDC.
Of these cases, 309 developed symptoms and were hospitalised, and 295 people have been discharged. About 79 per cent of them have fully recovered.
Nine people were still hospitalised, with two in intensive care as of June 11, according to the CDC.
Most cases have been mild, with symptoms like fatigue, chest pain and disturbances in heart rhythm that quickly clear up within a day or so. Males under 30 make up the majority of the cases. More cases occurred after the second dose than the first, according to the CDC.
Experts said they will need to follow up with patients in the months ahead in order to get a complete picture of the impact, India TV had reported.
Clinical presentation of myocarditis cases following vaccination has been distinct, occurring most often within one week after the second dose, with chest pain as the most common presentation, said Grace Lee, who chairs the committee’s safety group.
CDC officials are gathering more data to fully understand the potential risks, how to manage it and whether there are any long-term issues, she said.
Experts stressed this occurrence is rare, about 12.6 heart inflammation cases per million doses.
Officials emphasized that the benefits of the vaccines outweigh the risks, and noted that for every million doses of mRNA vaccine given, there are far more COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations prevented compared to the number of potential myocarditis cases.
About 45.4 per cent of the US population is fully vaccinated, and 53.6 per cent of the population has received at least one shot, according to CDC data.