Covid-19 Vaccination In Odisha: Chief Minister Announces Priority Groups

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday announced that people above 60 years, pregnant women and health workers will be given priority during the vaccination process for Covid-19 once the vaccine is available.

He made the announcement while reviewing the Coronavirus scenario in the State.

The Odisha government had already commenced process for the preparation of a comprehensive database of frontline workers including the health activists, Anganwadi workers and ASHA for seamless initiation of the vaccination programme.

The State wing of Indian Medical Association, AYUSH Association, Nursing Association, Paramedic Workers Association and Private Hospital Owners Association have been asked to submit details of their members to their respective district Collector, municipal commissioner or chief district medical officer for enrollment in the database.

Similarly, the government has also instructed officials of Women and Child Development (WCD) department and Mission Shakti to come up with the individual details of anganwadi workers, helpers, supervisors and child development project officers.

The Odisha government had earlier announced to establish an advanced vaccine manufacturing unit at Andharua on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar. The government will spend Rs 300 crore for the unit.

The unit will produce 10 types of vaccines including that of COVID-19 and malaria. Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL) will be the anchor developer.

According to sources, the Centre has planned to procure the vaccine and distribute to the States, which would utilise them on the priority groups. The Centre has requested the States not to go for separate procurement of the vaccine. The vaccine will be administered on priority basis free of cost under a special immunisation programme, sources added.