COVID-19 Vaccine Not Mandatory For All Health Workers In Odisha: DMET

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government on Wednesday made it clear that COVID-19 vaccination is not mandatory for all health workers.

“There is no mandatory provision that all health workers will be vaccinated. If any health worker is willing he/she will be vaccinated,” Director Medical Education and Training (DMET) CBK Mohanty told mediapersons.

Stating that the Union Health Secretary has informed about the arrival of vaccines in Odisha within 10 days, he said the vaccination will begin in the state in a couple of days.

Mohanty further said the two COVID-19 vaccines – Covishield and Covaxin – will be given in two doses. The second does will be administered four weeks after the first dose, he pointed out.

Director, Health and Family Welfare Bijay Panigrahi said the Centre has asked the state government to remain prepared for the drive as vaccines will arrive in a few days.

“Though there is no mention of vaccines arrival date, we are fully prepared. The vaccines will be sent directly to the state by the Serum Institute of the India and the Bharat Biotech,” Panigrahi said.

He said after the vaccines are received, they will be kept at the State Vaccine Store in Bhubaneswar from where it will be sent to District Vaccine Stores.

“While we have ordered the procurement of vaccines as per the number of the health workers in the database, the company will decide on the number of vaccines to be sent,” he added.

He further said the district collectors have been asked to submit a report by January 8 on the session sites where the vaccination will start. The entire process will be completed by January 10.