Shillong, March 30: Indian Social Responsibility Network (ISRN), a national level Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) working in the field of Covid -19 vaccination programme, has supported the government initiative to have more coverage.
‘”The government’s vaccination drive in Meghalaya needs an impetus with technical and materialistic assistance with a stronger community engagement to expedite the process of vaccination especially in areas of low vaccination rate or unreachable pockets of the state”,said Dr Richa Sharma, team leader of ISRN .
To expedite the vaccinations, the US agency for International Development (USAID) supported MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity has partnered with as ISRN in 4 districts, Ri-Bhoi,West Khasi Hills, South Garo Hills and East Garo Hills of Meghalaya.
Besides Meghalaya, the ISRN has also selected six districts of Nagaland to support and amplify government’s efforts in successfully vaccinating the eligible population, to cover the left out and non-vaccinated population above age 12, with special focus on people with co-morbidity and marginalised ones, such as tribal population, people living in hard to reach areas among others.
Sharma said ISRN has been doing different types of field level activities for amplifying the Covid-19 vaccination programme in Meghalaya like awareness camps, supporting vaccination camps, wall writing, training for healthcare/frontline workers, vaccine on wheels, regular meeting with stakeholders at
state/district level, partnership with stakeholders such as Self Help Groups, community-based organisations, faith based organisations, engagement of schools, colleges, institutions and others.
Next plan is to cover the age group of 12-14 eligible population along with 14+ eligible ones in the state and the organisation looks forward to collaborate with voluntary organisations in the districts.
“With these initiatives, we hope to further support government to accelerate the uptake of Covid-19 vaccination and help in fighting the pandemic”, the ISRN said
