Drive-In, Doorstep Vaccination Cancelled Across Odisha; 'May Cause Vaccine Shortage'

No more drive-ins, no more doorstep Covid-19 vaccination of elderly in Odisha. The State government on Wednesday asked the district collectors and municipal commissioners to stop drive-in and doorstep vaccinations. In a letter, Additional Chief Secretary Pradipta Mohapatra asked the officials to refrain from continuing the drive-in and door-to-door vaccination process. He stated that it is not allowed in the operational guidelines for COVID-19 Vaccination issued by the Government of India. The Health Ministry guidelines mention that the vaccination sessions can be conducted in places with adequate space for waiting area, vaccination room, observation room and have adequate facility for Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI). As per the guidelines, the beneficiaries have to be observed for at least 30 mins after vaccination for AEFI if any. Therefore, Mohapatra said that in drive-in or door step strategies it will be difficult to manage the post-vaccination adverse events if it occurs and there is also a likelihood of vaccine shortage. Moreover, the additional chief secretary requested the officials to conduct sessions in suitable Covid Vaccination Centers (CVCs) following all COVID-19 operational guidelines.