Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister, Trivendra Singh Rawat stated on Monday that the Muslim community in the country is avoiding Covid vaccination because of fears and misunderstandings regarding the vaccine.
“The Muslim community in our country at present – I am deliberately taking name – is keeping away from vaccination. They still have hesitation, apprehensions and misconceptions,” said Rawat while speaking to reporters at an event on World Blood Donor Day in Rishikesh.
He appealed social organisations and the media to raise awareness in the community that the vaccine is not harmful.
“If you do not take the vaccine, this disease will not get over and anybody can fell prey to it and we can become a super spreader. I appeal all to come forward for vaccination,” Rawat said, adding that herd immunity will be developed when 80 per cent of the population is vaccinated.
The former CM said the Pakistan government has announced stern measures such as blocking phones and stopping salaries of those who are avoiding vaccination. Such steps can create awareness among masses, he said.
The Covid curfew in Uttarakhand was extended till June 22 by the Uttarakhand government on Monday. Subodh Uniyal, a government spokesperson, announced revisions to the normal operating procedure, saying that local residents from the affected district will be permitted to visit Char Dham shrines with negative RTPCR results.
