Shillong, May 14: More than 1,900 participated in the Covid-19 vaccination for citizens above 18 years of age that started on Friday. The state also recorded over 600 new cases.
Of the 7,862 inoculated citizens, 1,907 were above 18 years. The number of citizens above 45 years who came for vaccination was 3,629.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma tweeted on Friday, “Glad to see the vaccination program for 18-45 years category going on well. We are doing our best to procure more vaccines so that it can be made available to all.”
The day’s count of positive cases remained highest ever at 627, with East Khasi Hills recording 361, the highest among 11 districts followed by Ri Bhoi at 101.
The number of deaths was 12, 11 of whom were from East Khasi Hills. The toll in Meghalaya is at 280. Of the 12 persons who died, three were below 40 years of age.
Glitches & criticisms
Some citizens complained about glitches in the vaccination process. A 30-year-old applicant told Meghalaya Monitor that after registering for vaccination on April 29, she got a message saying it was scheduled for May 14 at Bethany Office between 2-4 pm. But after reaching there, she was told that slots were booked for the next three days.
“After returning home, I got another message saying the vaccination was cancelled today,” she said.
Another citizen informed that “the moment the website for booking went live, the slots got all full up to May 16 in a matter of 10 minutes for those above 18 years”.
“Since all slots have been filled within 15 min of your tweets. How poor people will b able to get it ? They r not always online/twitter and at same time no walk-in vaccination was available,” tweted @anil_iimb.
Another Twitterati posted, “I request the govt to also consider the plight of our uneducated population where registration through an app is impossible for them. Of course unless the vaccine is not meant for people who are uneducated and also people who cant afford to have access to smartphone & internet.
