The fear of COVID19 vaccine is real. In spite of the roll out of COVID19 vaccine in January 2021, the total population vaccinated in India stands at a mere 10.4%. Vaccine Hesitancy is one of the major reasons for such low turnout, particularly in the rural areas. In order to educate and create awareness on the importance of vaccination and burst the myths and misconceptions, M3M Foundation & Aide et Action (iMpower project) organized Jan Sawasthaya Chetna Yatra, a 20- day COVID vaccine awareness campaign covering 64 villages in Tauro block of Nuh district in Haryana. The campaign was launched on 12th August and was officially flagged off by Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Nuh and Dr. Payal Kanodia – Trustee, M3M Foundation and Dr. Aishwarya Mahajan – President, M3M Foundation.
The campaign aimed to raise awareness about the importance of COVID vaccination through various community-level engagements. A team of 20 volunteers from Aide et Action (iMpower), M3M Foundation and a local organization were trained on community engagement tools specially designed for use in Communication for Development (C4D).
With the efforts of the team and support from the Health Department Taoru, thousands of people were mobilized in the 54 villages. A total of 2146 people have been vaccinated so far.
At a similar event in Jaipur, the community members of nomadic groups including ‘Ghoomantu’ and ‘Gadhiya Lohar’ tribes received COVID jabs at a specially organized free vaccination drive by the iLEAD centre on 8th September 2021. A total of 500 adults including senior citizens, men and women received the vaccines at the drive which was organized in association with the local Urban Primary Health Centre (UPHC).
The UPHC medical team, community volunteers and other stakeholders were felicitated by AEA team at the end of the drive.
