Bhubaneswar: The state successfully conducted the vaccination drive for children in the 15-17 age groups amid the fears of a surge in COVID-19 and Omicron cases.
On the first day of the drive that kicked off across the country, 80,129 youth of Odisha took their Covaxin shots on Monday.
Health Director Bijay Mohapatra said 934 vaccination centres have been opened for children across the state. Children who had not registered online could take the jabs through the on the spot registration at the centres, he added.
Earlier, the government had said the vaccination centres for children will function from 8 am to 1 pm, but vaccination will continue beyond that duration depending on the crowd.
In Nabarangapur, the vaccination drive was inaugurated at the district headquarters hospital by Dr Komal Lochan Mishra. At least 61 centres have been set up in 10 blocks and two municipalities of the district. A total of 122 health workers have been engaged to vaccinate 65,700 eligible beneficiaries in the age group.
Nuapada district also saw enthusiastic participation, especially in Kharial, Sinapali, Komana and Boden blocks of the district.
ADMO Binod Bihari Rath said “The district health department has set a target to finish the drive in one month, as the gap between the two doses is 28 days. Around 33,000 eligible youth in the district are likely to be vaccinated.”
The people have appreciated the government effort for making available adequate vaccine doses for the district. “I am feeling very happy to get the first dose of the vaccination and I urge all my friends to take the vaccine and beat corona,” said a student Rosy Meher after taking the jab.
In Bhadrak district vaccination centres have been set up at 19 places. Students of Class 10 will take the jabs after the conclusion of their exam on January 8, a health department official said.
A total of 25.53 lakh children are eligible for vaccination in the state. Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) plans to vaccinate one lakh children in a month.
