Covid-19 Vaccination In Odisha Soon, Says DMET Director

Bhubaneswar: In a major relief to the denizens, Covid-19 vaccination drive will kick start across Odisha as soon as the doses reach the State, informed Directorate of Medical Education & Training (DMET) Director Prof CBK Mohanty on Monday.

The reaction from Mohanty came just a day after the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) granted emergency use approval to Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech for their respective vaccines on Sunday.

Speaking to media about the development Mohanty said, "As we have completed dry run, the Covid-19 vaccination will begin in Odisha as soon as the doses reach the State. As per the latest decision taken, Covishield will be used in the first phase."

"Serum Institute has over 5 crore vaccine doses, but the State cannot procure it directly. The Central government will decide how many doses Odisha will get. Serum Institute has a production capacity of 5 million doses per month, so we will get vaccines in phased manner," Mohanty informed.

In the first phase, the health workers will be vaccinated and a database of Covid Warriors and senior citizens will be prepared in the next phase.

Earlier in July 22, CM Naveen Patnaik had spoken to Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla via video conferencing and urged him to consider prioritising the State for the early Covid-19 vaccine.

"DCGI has granted emergency approval to two institutes for their respective vaccines. A list of 3.27 lakh health workers has been prepared for the first phase vaccination," informed Niranjan Mishra, Director of Public Health department.

Meanwhile, Annda Sankar Das, Drugs Controller  said Vaccination will be undertaken in close coordination between Centre and  State government.

" Vaccination will be undertaken in close coordination between Centre and state government. We will play a major role in private sell of the vaccine. However, no guideline has been issued so far," Das said.

(Edited By Ramakanta Biswas)