SHILLONG:
Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy among government health workers is the reason why a large number of doctors, nurses and other medical staff are unvaccinated in the state, Health minister James K Sangma informed the assembly on February 7.
The minister was responding to a query by All Indian Trinamool Congress (AITC) legislator Himalaya Shangpliang during the Question Hour on the second day of the ongoing Budget Session.
Sangma further informed the House that Covid vaccine hesitancy rate among government health workers is 10 per cent.
Of 2505 health workers in the government hospitals, 2,456 are still unvaccinated while the number in private hospitals is only 49, Sangma informed.
He said that, as per a report of the Indian Institute of Public Health (IIPH), there are various reasons behind this hesitancy, which includes apprehension of side effects, fake news on social media, inability to choose a vaccine of the many options available, unwavering belief in natural immunity, confusion because of messages from various sources, trypanophobia, and fear of future infertility, among others.
Expressing concern on the matter, Shangpliang questioned the government how it is asking the citizens to get vaccinated when its health workers are yet to get the jab.
Responding to it, Sangma assured that the government is making all-out efforts to conduct counselling and awareness programmes in this regard.
“Around 70-80 per cent of people, who were earlier hesitant to take the vaccine, have now come foward (for vaccination),” he informed.
NCP legislator from Gambegre, Saleng A Sangma, asked the government if holidays are being sanctioned to doctors and health workers undergoing counselling “as it would mean they are not in a normal state”.
To this, the minister said that counselling on vaccination doesn’t imply that doctors and health workers are battling mental issues. “Counselling was conducted in May and June last year and now less than one per cent (of doctors) are yet to take the vaccine,” he said.
Congress legislator Ampareen Lyngdoh asked if the herd immunity has been achieved, to which, Sangma said that a study to determine that has to be made.