Tamil Nadu: NGOs to be roped in to inoculate Nilgiris tribals

UDHAGAMANDALAM: As the tribal community in the district showed hesitancy for vaccination, the district administration has planned to rope in NGOs to vaccinate the eligible population of the community before June end.
“As per the instruction of the state health minister, we have come out with an action plan involving NGOs, who are working with the tribals, to vaccinate the tribal population above 18 years by June end,” collector Innocent Divya said.“The minister has promised sufficient doses of vaccination to meet the exercise,” she said.
According to records, there are as many as 27,032 tribals such as Kurumbas, Kotas, Todas, Irulas and Kattunayakans in the Nilgiris, while the number of eligible tribal people for vaccination (above 18 years of age) stands at 21,435. As many as 3,400 tribal people have taken their jabs so far.
“Also, as per the instruction of the health minister, an action plan is also underway to make the Nilgiris vaccination saturated. We are expecting vaccines for the tribal community first and later for the rest,” Divya said.
The eligible population for vaccination in the district stands at 5.8 lakh. Over 2 lakh people have already been vaccinated.
Awareness programmes are also being conducted by the administration among tribals. Last month, an exclusive vaccination camp was launched at Anaikatty tribal hamlet in Ebbanadu panchayat. Subsequently, camps were held in different tribal locations.