COVID-19 Vaccines: Odisha Govt Warns Against Unauthorized Storage, Sale

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has warned that any unauthorized storage, distribution, purchase or sale of COVID-19 vaccines is a punishable offence.

Additional Chief Secretary PK Mohapatra informed this while issuing standard operating procedures (SOP) for the safety and security of COVID-19 vaccines during transportation and at storage and session sites in the state.

In written instructions issued to all Collectors and SPs to prevent misuse of vaccines, Mohapatra said:

1-CO-WIN portal is designed for end-to-end tracking of COVID-19 vaccines and linking every dose to individual beneficiaries. Details of COVID-19 vaccine (name, batch, manufacturing date) will be entered in electronic database and vaccine doses along with batch number will be allocated to each site using electronic system only.

2-All partially used empty vials need to be brought back to the Cold Chain Point and are to be disposed in accordance with the CPCB guidelines while ensuring that empty vials with intact labels cannot be assessed by any person to prevent its misuse.

3-With limited vaccine availability in initial phases, adequate security arrangements need to be in place for safety of vaccines at storage site, during transportation, and at session sites.

4-The individual districts may further explore and add relevant steps as per local need to ensure the safety and security of COVID-19 vaccines and prevent its misuse.

Also Read: Beware Of Misinformation On COVID-19 Vaccine: Odisha DMET Director