Erratic supply of Vaccines has slowed down the pace of immunisation to the extent that if the third wave were to hit the state in August, about 50% of Assam’s adult Population would be vulnerable as they have not been fully vaccinated.
Amid third wave concerns, the Meghalaya government upped its vaccination drive by roping in community and religious leaders in the hill state to overcome hesitancy. Tripura is in a better position because it has the highest vaccination record of its targeted population. Assam being the gateway to the northeast, the shortage of vaccines has become a matter of concern.
Statistics furnished by the immunization office in Assam showed 87.58lakhpeople have been vaccinated. By Saturday evening, a total of 72.32 lakh of the 2.37 crore 18+ population got the first shot. This accounts for 31% of the eligible population. On the other hand, only 15.26 lakh beneficiaries have received the second shot.
In Meghalaya, chief minister Conrad K Sangma, who had flagged the shortage as a ‘big concern’ for the state during the video-meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has urged all eligible citizens to take the vaccine even as the has been strengthening and upgrading Health Infrastructure to deal with a possible third wave.