Devbrat Patnaik

Bhubaneswar: The State government braces for another massive Covid-19 inoculation drive as Odisha's police personnel and all frontline corona warriors of various government departments will receive the vaccine shot from tomorrow (February 6).

A decision in this regard was taken at the Steering Committee meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Suresh Mohapatra on Friday.

Sources said Odisha Police DG Abhay will receive the first jab tomorrow. Apart from Abhay, SPs and Collectors of all the districts will also be administered the Covid-19 vaccine.

While all departments are geared up for the vaccination process, the government has asked senior officials including DGP, Collectors, SPs and others to take the vaccine and share a photo of the same on social media. This is being done to create awareness and build confidence among other frontline workers who are concerned about the safety of the vaccine.

Apart from police personnel, the frontline workers of Home department, Urban Development dept and Revenue dept and other corona warriors would be administered the Covid-19 vaccine from tomorrow, as per the plan chalked out during the meeting today. Immunisation will be carried out at several hospitals, community centres and Kalyan Mandaps.

Ahead of the commencement of the second phase COVID-19 vaccination in Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) area tomorrow, BMC Commissioner Prem Chandra Choudhury said, "The officials of the civic body, and frontline workers of various government departments and police will be administered vaccine from tomorrow. Their registration is almost complete. A micro-plan has been drafted. Around 3-4 locations have been identified where immunization of personnel of BMC, revenue and other departments would be carried out. Even for police, we have planned 5-7 sessions."

"Those who have registered will get the first dose within the next 7-10 days. The target beneficiary count is around 15000-20000 during this drive. And so far, 11000 policemen have registered and their immunisation will be carried out in 7 different sessions in consultation with Police Commissionerate," the BMC Commissioner said.

Addressing media persons, Twin City Police Commissioner Sudhanshu Sarangi said, "As many as 8937 personnel from 19 police establishments in Bhubaneswar and 6867 officials from 11 police establishments in Cuttack will receive Covid vaccine from tomorrow. DGP Abhay will take the vaccine first. Session sites will be set up at three places including the CP office."

This morning, Additional Chief Secretary of the State Health department Pradipta Kumar Mohapatra was administered Covid-19 vaccine.

READ | COVID-19 Vaccination Drive: 3rd Phase To Begin In March, Will Cover Those Above 50

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