TV
Bhubaneswar: With COVID-19 vaccine likely to be rolled out in next few weeks, the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) from Odisha on Thursday placed two demands before the Centre during the all-party meeting which was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
While attending the meet, BJD MP Chandrasekhar Sahu stressed to give adequate focus to Odisha for the vaccination drive and also proposed for preparation of a grassroots-level database. He further informed that Odisha has already set up a taskforce as per the directions of the Centre to ensure effective distribution of the vaccine. He also urged the Centre to ensure that Odisha takes part in the vaccination programme in the first place once it begins at the national level.
PM Modi said India’s vaccination programme against COVID-19 would begin as soon as the government gets a go-ahead from scientists in this regard. He also asserted that healthcare workers involved in treating Coronavirus patients, frontline workers and old people suffering from serious conditions would be inoculated on priority basis.
“Today, the Health Secretary briefed on the various stages of vaccine manufacturing and testing in the country. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has clearly stated that the State government is fully ready for the vaccination programme as per the instructions issued by the Centre,” said Sahu.
The parliamentarian from Berhampur further said, “The State has already prepared a database of doctors, health workers who will be vaccinated in the first phase in the State," "Subsequently, the vaccine will be administered to other vulnerable groups. The CM has already told to ensure that Odisha gets prominence and all the facilities after the vaccine roll out," Sahu added.
Earlier, PM Modi in his closing remarks at the all-party meeting with leaders of various political parties to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic situation in the country, informed that the experts believe the wait for the COVID-19 vaccine will not be long and it may be ready in a few weeks.
Nearly eight vaccines are in different stages of trial with their manufacturing assured in India. Three vaccines from the country are also at different stages of trial, he said.
