Meghalaya govt join hands with faith leaders to combat misinformation on COVID vaccine
The state government and the medical fraternity held a meeting with various faith leaders on Monday seeking their cooperation to combat fear of misinformation propagated against vaccination for COVID-19.
Director of Health Services (DHS), Aman Warr said, “The leaders of various faiths have expressed their concern and have willingly expressed that they would lend their hand to enlighten the public on the benefits of vaccination.”
Warr also said the faith leaders have also spoken out about the ill-effects of misinformation being circulated in various mediums and said that they (faith leaders) have given suggestions on how to combat the misinformation.
“The decision rests on each and every individual and household. The people who are vaccinated even if they contract the disease will come out eventually. Hopeful to see better days,” he said.
The medical fraternity informed that vaccination hesitancy is more in the rural areas with high hesitancy in South Garo Hills and North Garo Hills and East Garo Hills.
For vaccination, the high-performance districts are in East Khasi Hills, West Garo Hills and South West Garo Hills.
“There is a suggestion that the government should come down heavily on faith leaders propagating wrong information about the vaccine,” Warr said.
The faith based leaders have given the suggestion for re-opening of religious places but the last call will be on the government.
(Edited by Christopher Gatphoh)
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