Covid-19 Vaccination Of Prisoners: Odisha Govt Asks Officials To Draw Up Plan

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Friday directed Collectors, Municipal Commissioners, and CDMs and PHOs to draw up plan for vaccination of prisoners above 60 years and 45 years plus with co-morbid conditions.

"You are requested to plan for Covid Vaccination of prisoners above 60 years age and 45-59 years age with defined co-morbid conditions in your district, in coordination with the respective district SP and Jail officials," the health department said.

"The Vaccination can either be done in a suitable healthcare facility, or onsite in the jail premises in the presence of an MBBS doctor with AEFI management essentials in place (however in COWIN the session has to be scheduled against a healthcare facility)," the health department added.

Yesterday, the Directorate of Prisons and Correctional Services had written to the Superintendents of all jails regarding the vaccination of the prisoners.

"You are hereby directed to take immediate steps for Covid vaccination of prisoners above 60 years of age as well as prisoners above 45 years of age (having co-morbidities) inside the Jail in consultation with the concerned CDMO/CMOs and district authorities under intimation to this headquarters."

The jail superintendents were asked to follow all other security protocols and Covid guidelines of the government.