Odisha Awaits COVID Vaccine From Centre Amid BF.7 Scare; Only 41% Taken Booster Dose

Bhubaneswar: Amid Omicron sub-variant BF.7 scare, Odisha government has sought COVID vaccines from the Centre to expedite free vaccination drive as only 41 per cent of people in the state have taken the precaution dose, informed Health & Family Welfare Director Bijay Kumar Panigrahy on Monday.

He said that only 41 per cent of people have taken COVID precaution doses out of 3.25 lakh beneficiaries in the state.

Currently, no government-sponsored vaccination drive is underway after November 28 in the state. However, vaccination is underway in private hospitals. Therefore, a letter has been sent to the Centre urging it to send more vaccines to the state.

Panigrahy added that the anti-body level normally declines after 4-6 months of vaccination. Notably, no intimation has been yet received regarding 4th dose.

Meanwhile, Bharat Biotech’s intranasal COVID vaccine has been approved by the Union Health Ministry for inclusion in the vaccination programme as a booster dose for those above 18 years of age on December 23. The needle-free vaccine is available at private centres and on the Co-WIN platform.

It is pertinent to mention here that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is set to chair a crucial meeting on Tuesday to review the situation in the state. He is likely to take stock of the preparedness to deal with any possible spread of the virus in the state apart from discussing the steps required to deal with the situation.

A comprehensive strategy is expected to be worked out at the meeting to be attended by the Health and Family Welfare Minister, Health Secretary and other senior officials.

Also Read: Odisha CM To Review COVID Situation At High-Level Meeting Tomorrow