Odisha Receives 2 Lakh More Covishield Doses

Bhubaneswar: Odisha on Friday received 2 lakh more doses of Covishield vaccine.

According to reports, the vaccines will be dispatched to the districts where arrangements are being made to vaccinate beneficiaries above the age of 45.

On Thursday, Additional Chief Secretary, Health, Pradipta Mohapatra had stated during a media briefing that the state government’s priority will be to vaccinate people eligible for the second jab.

The state had requested the Centre to send at least 15 lakh doses of Covishield of the Serum Institute of India by May 15 to cover the population eligible for the 2nd shot.

Mohapatra had said due to acute shortage of Covishield people above 45 years in 30 districts, who have taken the first dose and are now waiting for the second dose. Considering the urgency, there will be no first dose vaccination in the state right now, he had said.

Meanwhile, the state is hopeful of receiving another 5 lakh doses by May 15. The Government is fully prepared to vaccinate even 3 lakh people a day if the required doses arrive.

There are 1500 vaccination centres in state. Around 1.16 crore population of Odisha belongs to 45 plus age group of which 37.5% have been given the first dose.

Of the 43.55 lakh people, 23.43 lakh are waiting for second dose. Of these 23.43 lakh people, 5.96 lakh have taken the second shot and 17.04 lakh people are still in waiting.