Vaccination For Above 18 Years Begins In Major Urban Centres In Odisha

Rourkela: The vaccination drive for people between 18 and 44 years has begun at other major urban centres in Odisha from today. Even though the vaccination for above 18 years had begun from May 1, people in this category were vaccinated with Covaxin shots only in Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation area so far.

Odisha government on Sunday informed that it would begin inoculation of the 18-44 year category first in five urban centres of Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Sambalpur and Berhampur having high Covid-19 test positivity rate (TPR). Health Department Additional Chief Secretary PK Mohapatra had informed that the prioritisation was being done due to low supply of vaccines.

In Rourkela, the exercise will be undertaken on alternate days. As per the decision by the district health department, Covid vaccines will be administered to people of 18 to 44 years on May 11, 13, 15, 18, 20 and 22 while in the case of 45 year plus category, people will be administered second doses on May 12, 14, 17, 19 and 21. 

The health department has clarified that registration is not mandatory for second dose vaccination but it is compulsory in the case of 18 to 44 years category who are receiving their first dose. 

Vaccination centres have been opened at IGH, UCHC Panposh, Reserve Police Hospital, Sector 6 Hospital, RGH, Bondamunda Railway Hospital, Fertilizer Township SAIL Health Centre and ESI Hospital in Rourkela.

In Bhubaneswar, the State Capital city of Odisha, the administrative authorities have launched vaccination on wheels at 3 other locations just like the Esplanade Mall. The 3 new locations include Utkal Kanika Galleria, Symphony Mall parking lot, KIIT University cricket stadium in Patia.

People over 45 years who are scheduled to get their second doses can visit these centres to get inoculated. The facility will remain open from today till May 15. BMC authorities have informed that arrangements have been made for vaccination of 300 people every day at each location.    

Similarly, vaccination of people in 18 to 44 years category is underway at as many as 13 places in Berhampur. A drive-in vaccination initiative has been launched at Khallikhote College Ground. 

In Balasore, the vaccination exercise which remained off-limits for the last 3 days resumed today. But vaccines are being administered to people due for their second doses.