The 75-day long free booster dose drive under ‘COVID Vaccination Amrit Mahotsava’ is going to end soon. Surprisingly, at least 75% of people in Odisha, which accounts for nearly 2.4 crore population, is still to be administered with the precaution dose. Moreover, at least 23.32 lakh people have not taken their second dose.
According to government data, at least 23.32 lakh people have not taken their second dose while around 2.40 crore people are yet to take the booster jabs.
Precaution dose is very necessary to keep Covid-19 at bay. The virus is still there; Covid-19 cases have risen in past few days. Like earlier, all precautions are necessary, masks and social distancing is still crucial, said Dr VK Paul, Member Health, NITI Aayog.
Raising concerns on slow pace of vaccination in the State, Panigrahi said the government is committed to complete the vaccination drive in the stipulated time period.
As per the data shared by the I&PR department, the active Covid-19 case tally in the State now stands over 3,200. The infections are rising in Khordha, Cuttack, Rourkela and Puri.
India's drug regulator, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) had approved Covovax for restricted use in emergency situations in adults on December 28 last year and in the 12-17 age group with certain conditions on March 9.
The Odisha government has so far administered the precautionary Covid vaccine doses to around 18 percent of eligible population, informed the State Health and Family Welfare department Director, Bijay Panigrahi on Wednesday.
BIG Cut In Covid19 Vaccine Prices Announced
Service charge for booster dose at private vaccination centres has been capped at Rs150, announced the Union Health Ministry on Saturday
The administration of precaution dose to those above the age of 18 years will be through private vaccination centres and the drive would start from April 10, 2022.
The next phase of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from March 1 for people over 60 years of age and those aged 45 and above with specified co-morbid conditions.
Briefing reporters about the current pandemic situation in the State, Director, Family Welfare and nodal officer for Covid vaccination, Dr Bijay Panigrahi informed that the vaccination rate is low in five districts of the State, including Gajapati, Sundargarh, Cuttack, Angul and Mayurbhanj.
India charts a separate way. Addressing the nation on Saturday, PM Narendra Modi announced that children in the 15-18 years age group will now get COVID-19 vaccines starting 3rd January 2022. The government has also decided that precaution dose of vaccine will be started for frontline workers and healthcare workers and elderly with co-morbid conditions.
LIVE TV
