Chhattisgarh is a landlocked state located in the region of Central India. Formerly part of Madhya Pradesh, it was granted statehood on November 1, 2000. Of the total population, at least 34% are Scheduled Tribes, 12% are Scheduled Castes and over 50% belong to the official list of Other Backward Classes. The state faced several challenges during the rollout of COVID-19 vaccination, some of them being a lack of awareness about COVID-19 vaccination, vaccine hesitancy, and fear of adverse events following vaccination. The project team identified these challenges and conducted intensive community engagement such as engaging the community in games and activities during festivals, conducting miking, and going door-to-door to address fears and apprehensions about COVID-19 vaccination.
The project activities were implemented in 18 districts through 5 sub-awardees: TCIF, HelpAge India, Samarthan, SMRC, TLMTI
To increase the uptake of COVID-19 vaccination, the project supports the Government of India and the state Government in vaccination planning, inter-departmental coordination, need-based monitoring, enhanced community engagement, and prioritization of activities for COVID-19 vaccination programs at the state and district. The team led risk communication activities with the state officials and coordinated efforts to enhance vaccination in low-coverage areas.
The project worked with faith and community-based organizations and tribal groups to address COVID-19 myths and misconceptions and vaccinate vulnerable and marginalized groups.
The project used special days, like festivals and Independence Day, to create awareness about the COVID-19 vaccine and mobilize people for vaccination.
The project engaged faith leaders to promote awareness avoid COVID-19 vaccination and to address myths about vaccination.
The project trained Village Chiefs, Anganwadi workers, SHG and community members as vaccine ambassadors to spread awareness in their communities.
A webinar was organised with a panel of experts which included an expert Gynecologist, State Immunization Officer, state-level government women officers and journalists. This panel addressed questions related to gender-based vaccine hesitancy and mitigated the misconceptions hence motivating 100% vaccination among women special pregnant and lactating mothers. The event was participated by youth, members of women SHGs, academia and government experts who addressed the questions on COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. The chief guest of the programme was Dr. Vishwanath Bhagat, SIO, Chhattisgarh, and guest of honour Dr. Meera Baghel, CMHO Raipur. Dr. Amita Pitre, theme lead gender equality, Oxfam India was the special guest. Prof. Reeta Venugopal Director of Centre for Women’s Studies of Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University chaired the webinar.
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