14.5 Lakh People In Odisha Have Missed 2nd COVID Vaccine Jab; Over 80K In Bhubaneswar

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Bhubaneswar: At least 14.5 lakh beneficiaries in Odisha have not returned for their second shot of the COVID vaccine, the Health and Family Welfare department informed on Thursday.

So far, 2.07 crore doses have been administered in the state. While 1.58 crore among them are the first dose, 49 lakh are the second dose.

In a letter to the authorities concerned, Additional Chief Secretary (Health) PK Mohapatra said that the Centre has allocated additional 9,92,380 doses of Covishield and 1,24,590 doses of Covaxin for August for special campaigns to vaccinate all those who have missed their second dose. Government and private schoolteachers and their family members, who have not received the 1st\2nd dose of COVID-19 vaccine, will also be vaccinated during exclusive sessions at COVID Vaccination Centres before September 5, he added.

The District Education Officers have been asked to inform all schools to ensure timely vaccination of teachers and their family members.

The highest 46 per cent beneficiaries are already due for second dose vaccination in Malkagiri district followed by 43 per cent in Nabarangpur and 40 per cent each in Deogarh and Boudh. Only 8 per cent have missed the second shot in Bhubaneswar.