Will Odisha Run Out Of COVID Vaccines By Tomorrow?

Bhubaneswar: The inoculation drive has come to a halt in five districts of Odisha – Jharsuguda, Kendrapada, Koraput, Nayagarh and Nuapada – due to vaccine shortage.

Till Thursday evening, Odisha had 1,09,590 doses of Covishield and 2,54,030 doses of Covaxin. “Only 520 sessions could be planned for today. Around 1,36,000 people were administered vaccines at 703 session sites yesterday,” said Director, Health and Family Welfare Bijay Panigrahi.

The shortage had hit the drive with the number of people being vaccinated has come down to 1 lakh from 3 lakh.

The stock of Covishield is likely to be consumed in a day or two. “Since we are expecting the next consignment of 3,16,470 doses of Covishieled on July 15, the vaccination in most districts will be affected till such period,” Panigrahi said.

Meanwhile, 1.73 lakh Covaxin doses arrived in the state this morning, he added.

Covaxin is being administered in only Bhubaneswar and Ganjam district.

On July 6, Additional Chief Secretary (Health) PK Mohapatra had urged the Centre to supply the required vaccines in the next two days to tide over this shortage.

Mohapatra had further said that the allocation of 25.31 lakh doses of Covishield for July was lower than the 28.31 lakh second doses due for the month.

“Hence, you are requested to allocate an additional 15 lakh doses of Covishield to our state to manage vaccination sessions smoothly,” he added.