Bhubaneswar: COVID-19 vaccination of expectant mothers in Odisha will begin after July 15, Director, Health and Family Welfare, Bijay Panigrahi informed on Friday.
“The guidelines regarding vaccination of pregnant women will be issued today,” he said.
The training for ANMs, ASHA, Anganwadi workers and other health workers is likely to be completed before this date, he said, adding that they will sensitise pregnant women about the danger of COVID and the benefits of taking the vaccine.
Panigrahi had earlier told the media that the vaccines are safe for pregnant women and would be administered in accordance with the government guidelines. “Special waiting rooms will be set up at all vaccination centres so that they don’t have to stand in a queue with others,” he added.
The Central guidelines state that there will be no doorstep vaccination of pregnant women as there is a possibility of side effects.