Bhubaneswar: Odisha has reported less vaccine wastage as compared to the other States, informed Odisha Family and Welfare department director Bijay Panighrahi on Monday.
Speaking to reporters here, Panigharahi said, "Once a vial is opened, the vaccine has to be administered to a recipient as soon as possible because it gets wasted if not used within four hours."
Panigrahi also urged recipients to take out time and take the vaccine jab at the dedicated slot so as to minimise wastage of vaccine.
"So far, we have performed exceedingly well and are ahead of others in terms of the recording less vaccine wastage," the Health Director told reporters.
Meanwhile, the mass immunisation of frontline workers of Home and Urban Development departments will begin on February 6. Panigrahi also informed that the last date of registration for vaccination of corona fighters under the Panchayati Raj and Revenue department has been extended till February 7.
It is worthwhile to mention here that, Odisha still tops all the States in the nation-wide vaccination.
According to Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 37, 58,843 beneficiaries have, so far, been vaccinated for COVID-19 across the country, while in Odisha 2, 06,424 persons have received the vaccine shots by January 30.
The ongoing immunisation drive has been suspended for a period of three days from January 31 to February 2 in view of Pulse Polio vaccination programme.
(Edited By Suryakant Jena)