Large numbers of residents hoped to receive a vaccine shot to protect against Covid-19, but with limited supply, many people had to be turned away.
The vaccination program required people to first register their interest in receiving a vaccine, so that organizers could plan for an adequate number of doses to be on hand for vaccination clinics.
In Thaton District, which is a New Mon State Party controlled area, 850 vaccine shots were planned for the first phase of the vaccination program, based on prior registrations. However, on September 8th, more than 1,500 people showed up, reported Nai Zaw Win, Oo, an officer with the NMSP’s Thaton Health Department.
“In this 3rd wave of COVID-19, the number of deaths was very high. We made the announcement about the vaccination program, and encouraged locals to register. The number of locals that showed up was more than we expected. Many people are interested in having vaccines,” said Nai Zaw Min Oo.
NMSP’s healthcare staff working in collaboration with local doctors, began the first phase of vaccinations at the Sarsana PainMarn Monastery in KawPain Village, Kawkareik Township, Karen State.
Other clinics were also held in TaungPauk Village, Kyarinnseikkyi Township, Karen State. In these communities, the number of locals who showed up exceeded the number of individuals who had previously registered.
“The number of locals who registered in advance was not even close to 200. But on the day of the vaccination clinic, a much larger number of people showed up in hopes to be vaccinated here. But there were not enough vaccine doses.” said Mi Mee, a Taung Pauk Villager.
While these communities were oversubscribed to receive the vaccine, other communities have been reluctant.
According to Nai Banyar Lei, Chair of the NMSP (Central) COVID-19 Prevention Committee, 5,000 vaccine doses had been secured for the NMSP area.He added that “many people did not want to get the vaccine. In the area of Welzin Village of YeChaungpayar, we had 500 vaccine shots available, but only 200 were used. In the Kannee area, only 400 were used. Unfortunately many people are being misled by misinformation on social media falsely claiming the vaccines may be unsafe. Due to this misinformation, many people are not coming to get the vaccine.”
