Vaccination Without Lowering Guard Need Of Hour: Odisha Health Official

Bhubaneswar:  The Odisha Health Department has appealed to the people to take Covid-19 vaccine shot as early as possible and adhere to the appropriate Covid protocols ahead of a possible third wave of the pandemic that has already hit other countries.

“Whether the third wave comes or not, we need to expedite the vaccination programme in more effective manner and continue surveillance exercise. The only way to stay away from the virus is vaccination. So, I request people, who have not been vaccinated, to receive the jab at the earliest,” Odisha Health services director Bijay Mohapatra said.

Infection doesn't break out in any particular age group. Those who were not vaccinated are vulnerable to get infected, he added.

“We need full cooperation from the community after the restrictions are eased. Relaxation of limits doesn't mean that we would lower our guards,” he added.

Many communities have understood their responsibility and are discharging it accordingly. Others should be more cautious. Virus always mutates which triggers fear of another wave. But if we work together, no wave can cause harm us, Mohpatra explained.

The Government has aimed at vaccinating a majority of the population before the third wave arrives, Family Welfare Director Bijay Panigrahy said.

A record of as many as 3.32 lakh people were inoculated against the virus at 1613 sites across the State yesterday. With this, the State has so far vaccinated more than one crore beneficiaries, Panigrahy added.

The State has an availability of 6.98 lakh Covishield doses and 4.30 lakh Covaxin shots. More 1.74 lakh Covishield vaccines are scheduled to arrive today, he informed.

It is to be informed that Odisha government has banned the private hospitals from levying service charges on people for vaccination as per the revised guidelines issued by the Centre. Private hospitals can procure the vaccines from manufacturing units directly and carry out the paid vaccination programme with the price fixed by the Central government, Panigrahy maintained.

The price of Covishield has been fixed at Rs 780 while Covaxin is priced at Rs 1410 at private health centres.