Odisha Allows Near To Home Vaccination Centres For Elderly, Differently Abled

Bhubaneswar: In a bid to facilitate COVID vaccination to the elderly and differently-abled persons, the Odisha government on Monday allowed the local administrations to plan Near To Home Covid Vaccination Centres (NHCVC) for the beneficiaries.

The Health and Family Welfare Department has sent intimation to the District Collectors and District Magistrates in this connection.

“As you are aware that the Covid vaccination was started on Jan 16, 2021 based on the recommended strategy of National Expert Group on Covid vaccination (NEGVAC) based on scientific evidences, global experiences and WHO recommended operational guidelines and advisories are updated as per evolving situation and are being shared for successful implementation of vaccination drive,” the letter intimating the move read.

“As far as vaccination of elderly and differently abled citizens are concerned, the expert committee has suggested against the door to door vaccination. However, Near to Home CVC (NHCVC) for elderly and differently abled Citizens can be planned for their vaccination,” the letter further read.

The letter further added, “NHCVC follows a community based approach where sessions can be conducted nearer to home; at community centres, resident welfare association centre, group housing society centre, panchayat building, school building etc. The NHCVC will be linked to an existing CVC for planning and execution.”

The department requested the Collectors to inform concerned officials to start meticulous planning at the earliest for the smooth execution of vaccinations at Near to Home CVCs.

It is pertinent to mention here that, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has already begun the ‘Vaccination At Doorstep’ drive in six residential apartments in the Capital city on Monday.