13 October, Tapeljung. Since its inception in Taplejung district, 35,000 people have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. It has been found that citizens have not shown interest in vaccination even after the vaccine reaches all the people who have completed 18 years of age in the district.
Vaccine supervisor Dinesh Rai of Taplejung’s health office said that there are about 83,000 people over the age of 18 in the district. However, he added that only about 15,000 people have been vaccinated in the recent two-stage vaccination campaign.
According to the Health Office, of the 50,000 people targeted to be vaccinated against corona during this period, only 30 percent have been vaccinated. The Corona Control and Management Committee in the district has urged everyone to vaccinate as the citizens of the district have not been vaccinated against Corona as per the target. The committee urged for making vaccination compulsory as it is not only a right but also a duty of the citizens.
Umesh Pandey, Coordinator and Chief District Officer of District Corona Control and Management Committee said that action is being taken against those who have been allowed to vaccinate Corona under Infectious Disease Prevention Act. Pandey also urged the local level public representatives to prepare a list of citizens who are yet to be vaccinated in their area and create an environment for compulsory vaccination.
He also said that if he is found refusing vaccination, he will be compelled to take action as per the Prevention of Infectious Diseases Act. He informed that adequate vaccination has been provided to all the citizens of the district who have completed 18 years of age. According to him, the District Immunization Management Committee has said that recently this virus has reached about 61,000 people.