Over 1.20 lakh yet to take first Covid vaccine dose in Karbi hills

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STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The State Health Department is worried over the slow vaccination drive in the twin districts of Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong. Over 1.20 lakh eligible people have not yet taken the first Covid vaccine dose in the two hill districts.

According to Health Department sources, around 80,000 people have not yet taken the first vaccine dose in Karbi Anglong and around 41,000 in West Karbi Anglong. The Health Department, the two district administrations and the KAAC (Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council) have found that the remote and inhospitable hilly terrains and lack of willingness to take vaccine led to the tardy vaccination drive in the two districts. The Khasis along West Karbi Anglong and Meghalaya border have the problem of language as the barrier.

State Health Minister Keshab Mahanta camped a day in each of the two districts to enhance the vaccination drive. The department will engage additional medicos from the nearby districts in the two hill districts. The minister had talks with grassroots-level health workers and will engage religious leaders and NGOs to motivate the people.

Meanwhile, till 7 pm today, 3,55,93,068 vaccine doses were administered in the state – 2,16,19,169 first dose and 1,39,73,899 second doses.

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