Phase III Covid-19 Vaccination Drive Likely To Get Delayed In Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The phase III vaccination drive covering all eligible beneficiaries above 18 years might get delayed in Odisha, Director of Health & Family Welfare, Bijay Panigrahi informed on Tuesday.

The senior health official admitted that the vaccination drive under Phase III is likely to get delayed owing to unavailability of the required Covishield and Covaxin vaccine.

Panigrahi informed that the State has a stock of 1.23 lakh doses of Covishield vaccine and 3.65 lakh doses of Covaxin. The existing stock of Covishield will last for one day while the State can carry out vaccination drive for four weeks with the existing stock of Covaxin.

Around 56 lakh doses have been administered to eligible beneficiaries till yesterday in the State.

It is pertinent to mention here that Odisha government on April 25 announced free COVID vaccination for all above the age of 18.

The state government has already placed order for 387.34 doses of vaccines for the purpose. The state has requisitioned 377 lakh Covishield vaccine doses and 10.34 lakh doses of Covaxin, official sources said.

“The registration for Phase III Covid-19 vaccination drive will begin from tomorrow. However, it is unlikely to begin soon as we are yet to receive the required stock of Covishield vaccine,” said Panigrahi.

While the arrival of Covishield vaccine in the State will be delayed, Covaxin stock is likely to arrive by mid-of May, Panigrahi informed.

He also said that only the registration for the mega vaccination will be taken up from tomorrow. People will have to register themselves on the dedicated portal.

“Everything depends on availability of vaccines. We will announce slot bookings and vaccination dates after getting stocks,” Panigrahi added.

(Edited By Suryakant Jena)