Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday said the state is fully prepared for the COVID-19 vaccination whenever it will be made available.
Speaking at the virtual meeting of chief ministers with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the preparedness of COVID-19 response, Naveen said, “Odisha is fully prepared with a system in place for vaccine distribution. The government has accorded top priority to pregnant women, frontline health workers, people above 50 years and comorbidity.”
Since the duration of the vaccine’s efficacy is still not known, he said though the government is prepared for the seamless vaccination programme, people should not lower their guards.
He stressed on preventive measures against the pandemic like use of masks and social distancing to prevent the spread of the virus. “We need to ensure that we continue to wear masks, practise social distancing and hand hygiene to protect ourselves against COVID-19. Let’s resolve not to take the virus lightly,” the chief minister said.
