Odisha To Write To Centre For Second Dose Of COVID-19 Vaccine Today

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government will write to the Centre on Friday for immediate supply of COVID-19 vaccines for administering second dose.

Informing the media about this, Director, Health and Family Welfare Bijay Panigrahi said as there is no adequate stock of vaccines, the second dose cannot be given to about six lakh people who have taken the first dose. In this connection, the state government will write a letter to the Centre for immediate supply of the vaccines on priority.

He further said a consignment of Covaxin vaccine is expected to arrive in the state on Friday. But the time of its arrival is not known, he added.

Referring to the third phase vaccination of the people between 18 and 44 years which will begin on May 1, Panigrahi said as the state does not have stock of Covishield vaccine, the vaccination of the group cannot be taken up on May 1.

“As such, the vaccination in the state will not be stopped on May 1 and 2 due to the weekend shutdown. It will begin on May 3 subject to availability of the vaccine. We will inform the people about the date for the vaccination only after the vaccine arrives,” he pointed out.

He further said due to non-availability of vaccines, the vaccination drive in Boudh, Jharsuguda, Koraput, Sonepur and Sambalpur districts has been stopped on Friday while it is underway in 392 session sites in other districts.

On the present stock of vaccines, Panigrahi said the state has 1,06,360 doses of Covishield and 3,34,500 doses of Covaxin.

Also Read: COVID-19: Phase III Vaccination Programme In Odisha Unlikely From May 1; Know Why