IT Desk
The problem of non availability of vaccine is not only the problem of the Manipur government. Almost all states across the nations have been facing. The perfect example is that after the government of India had announced vaccinations for 18 plus years to 44 years to begin from May 1, almost all the states in India could not begin in the announced scheduled. The state of Manipur too could not start the vaccination of the said age group from May 1. To a little relieved the government of Manipur had announced to begin the vaccination of the Covishield from May 17. Well and good but the allocations of Vaccine districtwise as well the pace of vaccination in each district seems lack of proper strategy as the allocation neither is base on the population as well as for conveniences of the citizens in the respective district. Government authorities who were preparing the allocation seem to have forgotten to study the number of people in between the age of 18 plus to 44 in each district.
It may be mention that the Chief Minister of Manipur N. Biren Singh had announced that COVID-19 vaccination of people belonging to the age group of 18 to 44 years would commence from May 17. But those experts don’t seem to be serious to the intention of the Chief Minister. They way the planning for vaccination of the age group is likely to anger many people due to lack of proper strategy to assure that all people within the age group get vaccinated.
As per the 2011 census (as the 2021 census is not available) the total population of people between 18 years to 44 years is 14,29,503. And the total doses of covishield vaccine allotted for this population is 39,780. That means a total of 1,389,723 will not be able to vaccinate. May be the government will arrange for the remaining in the next few days after the Vaccination of this age group started. But then there is still questions from various section about the way of vaccine allocations to various districts as well as the opening of centers for the vaccination.
As per the official report the number of doses allocated for Imphal West is 5290. And the vaccination will be done at only two centers that is at RD Wing Lamphel and Iroishemba. Total population of Imphal West (2011 census) is 517,992 (all age), among this around 25% are between the age of 18 to 44 years. A lot of people of this age will be deprived of getting a jab not because of the non-availability of the vaccines but on the fact that people of this age group who are staying far from the two centers will not be allowed to get the opportunity for vaccination. This is because not all have private vehicles of their own or neither the public transport system is plying on the road. Those staying at Hiyangthang or Malom or other far area from the two center will definitely be deprived of vaccination.
The same is with other district such as Imphal East, Chandel , Churachandpur, Kakching , Kamjong, Ukhrul, Kangpokpi, Noney, Pherzwal, Senapati, Tamenglong , Tengnoupal , and Thoubal. Opening just two vaccination center will certainly make lot of inconveniences t the people.
