Bhubaneswar: Odisha Government on Friday decided to introduce Covaxin vaccine in Ganjam district for inoculation of people aged 18 years and above.
The vaccine will be rolled out in Ganjam district, including the areas under Berhampur Municipal Corporation, the health and Welfare department stated in a notification.
The Covaxin doses will be administered only to those beneficiaries who are yet to take their first dose of COVID vaccine. Apart from that, Covishield vaccine will also be administered to people but only to those who are due for their second dose.
The government has issued the following guidelines for smooth transitioning :
- The month-wise requirement of Covishield for 2nd dose vaccination shall be communicated to state well in advance for timely supply of vaccines.
- While doing 2nd dose Covishield vaccination of due beneficiaries who are already vaccinated with 1st dose, exclusive sessions shall be conducted for 2nd dose Covishield only.
- All Medical Officers, Supervisors, Programme Manager, Verifiers and Vaccinators shall be oriented regarding use of Covaxin vaccine and importance shall be given on dosage & vaccination schedule (gap of 4 to 6 weeks after 1st dose), route of administration and management of AEFI cases etc
- An important instruction to be given is that Covishield and Covaxin are not interchangeable i.e. beneficiaries vaccinated with Covishield (1st dose) should be vaccinated with Covishield for 2nd dose only and same is for Covaxin.