The day was 26 March, when a campaign for measles and rubella vaccination started with full fervour in Manipur, kicked off by its health minister. Under this campaign, the state government had a target to vaccinate around 85 lakh children aged 5-9 years by 30 April.

To achieve this, 242 PHCs, and seven semi-districts hospitals were involved and around 4,900 ASHA (accredited social health activist) workers, 11,000 Anganwadi workers and 6,000 teachers were mobilized. However, the target was not achieved even after two months. Where was the problem?

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A doctored video! Yes, a video that went viral on social media became a big obstacle for this campaign. The doctored video in Hindi, claimed that the vaccine was unsafe, it was a ploy of the current government to make Muslim children impotent and that the government was trying to curb their population.

“I don’t know how but the video went viral on WhatsApp, mainly in Muslim-dominated areas,” said Syed Burhanuddin, chairperson of Manipur State Minorities Commission. “This video was in Hindi (not in Manipuri), suggesting to everyone that the vaccination was a plot to stop Muslim population.”

The video not only affected Manipur but the campaign faced similar impact wherever it was launched, be it Kerala, Goa or Tamil Nadu. This clip, in which Muslims were asked to shun the vaccination programme, conducted by the government in schools and madrasas,was part of a news item on ABP news channel. However, it is, in fact, only half the news item, the other half citing the whole thing as a rumour.

“The way video was doctored, it seems someone has deliberately tried to misguide people. They only took the first half of the video not the second half. We did complain to police and CID,” said the District Collector of Thoubal, a district of Manipur.

Measles is a childhood killer disease and Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) is responsible for irreversible birth defects. Therefore, doctors suggest that unless children (between nine months and below 15 years of age) are vaccinated on time it can be fatal for them. Therefore, when the campaign was launched in Manipur with technical support from its development partners (WHO, UNICEF, UNDP) the only intention was to eradicate the diseases.

Two districts

The state has 8.40 percent Muslim population. Districts like Thoubal and Bishnupur have a larger concentration of Muslims. Interestingly, some pockets in these areas have adamantly refused to allow this vaccination.

In Thoubal, only 91.51 percent kids were vaccinated while in Bishnupur it is 93.19 percent. However, pockets like Kwakta in Bishnupur could only achieve 64.2 percent. And many of them who are left out, are still unconvinced.

“The health ministry’s IEC (information, education, communication) materials reached Manipur on 25 March, but people started sharing the news clip in October last year,” said Dr T H Nandkishwor, state surveillance officer, Manipur.

It is not only video that is deterring them but there are other rumours too. The common ones are: Different syringes for Hindus and Muslims; and different medicines for Hindus and Muslims. “We reached every odd area, even in hilly region, but this refusal has really made our task hard,” informed Nandkishwor.

Trying hard

However, to counter these rumours, the state government has gone all out and trying everything. They have sought help from different social organisations, religious leaders, Muslim doctors and students’ organisations. The government has also produced videos and printed material to counter the rumours and trying to convince people.

Thoubal district houses the Darul Uloom. Its chief Md Muhijuddin Mazahiri has a good following in the area is personally involved in this campaign. He explained the benefits of these vaccines.

“I tried to make them understand, but many times I also faced repulsion. They said, ‘You are sold out to Modi or the BJP’. But after some time they agreed but they said, ‘You are not a doctor’. Then we took on board some Muslims doctors to placate them,” the head of Darool Uloom explained.

“Initially we had problem convincing tribals and Muslims. Therefore, we had to involve religious leaders. Once they were involved, the campaign again gained speed,” said district magistrate of Thoubal, Haobam Rosita.