Lok Sabha Question No. 82 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-11-29
Subject: Vaccination of Tribal People of Odisha
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Aparajita Sarangi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 82

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 29.11.2021

## VACCINATION OF TRIBAL PEOPLE OF ODISHA

## 82    S HRIMATI APARAJITA SARANGI:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)        The number and percentage of tribal people vaccinated in Odisha and percentage left thereof;
- (b)        Whether there was vaccine hesitancy or myths about it in the tribal people; if so, the steps taken to remedy the situation;
- (c)        Whether vaccine hesitancy has reduced among tribal people in Odisha; if so, details thereof;
- (d)       Whether there are schemes devised to periodically arrange vaccination camps for tribal people in Odisha; if so, details thereof; and
- (e)        Whether any target is set by the Government for 100% vaccination of tribal people of Odisha; and if so, details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SMT. RENUKA SINGH SARUTA)

(a)       As  per  the  information  received  from  M/o  Health  &  Family  Welfare,  as  on  25th November 2021, a total of 1,00,68,104 people (73.5% coverage of estimated adult population) have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine in 14 tribal districts of Odisha.

(b)  &  (c)           Certain  myths/misinformation  have  been  reported  regarding  COVID-19 vaccination drive which have been promptly addressed by the Central Government.

In order to raise awareness about safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines to address vaccine hesitancy and sustain vaccine confidence, a communication strategy is in place which is being implemented  across  all  States/UTs  including  Odisha.  Some  key  interventions  as  part  of communication strategy include FAQs for general public and healthcare & frontline workers which have been developed & uploaded on Ministry of Health and Family Welfare  website (https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/FAQsforHCWs&FLWs.pdf); media channels, radio jockeys, producers etc. have been oriented on correct information regarding COVID-19 vaccination; op-eds and articles by identified experts published to build vaccine confidence; dissemination of  fact  check  videos  by  key  experts  to  provide  correct  &  factual  information.  Central Government has advised States/Union Territories to disseminate clear, consistent, transparent and  factual  information  to  general  public  to  clear  misconceptions  and  sustain  vaccine confidence.

(d)       The National COVID-19 Vaccination Program is going on across the country since 16th January 2021 where all adult citizens irrespective of their income status are entitled to free vaccination at government Covid Vaccination Centres (CVCs). All efforts have been made to ensure  vaccination  of  beneficiaries,  including  tribal  communities,  some  of  which  include registration through Common Service Centres, walk-in registration at COVID-19 vaccination centre,  Near  to  Home  Covid  Vaccination  Centres  (NHCVC)  for  elderly  &  people  with disabilities  and  Har  Ghar  Dastak  vaccination  campaign  to  identify  and  vaccinate  missed beneficiaries for 1st dose and due beneficiaries for 2nd dose.

(e)        The National COVID-19 Vaccination Program expects that eligible beneficiaries aged 18 years and above will be vaccinated by December 2021.

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