Covid-19 vaccination: Covishield 2nd, precaution doses to be available in Odisha from Jan 19

Bhubaneswar: In view of resurgence of Covid-19 cases due to Omicron sub-variants, Odisha Government will recommence the vaccination drive from January 19.

As per the decision, Covishield vaccine will be available for beneficiaries, who have not received their 2nd and precaution doses, for free in all government hospitals, informed Odisha Health & Family Welfare Department today.

Under the National #COVID19Vaccination programme, #Covishield will be available from 19th Jan 2023 in identified DHH, SDH,CHC & PHC across #Odisha for beneficiaries whose 2nd dose as well as precaution dose are due.

— H & FW Dept Odisha (@HFWOdisha) January 16, 2023

In December last year, the state government had sought necessary guidance and support for re-commencing the precaution dose vaccination following demand from citizens amid surge in Covid cases in countries like China, US, Japan, Brazil and South Korea.

Odisha utilised all Covid-19 vaccines supplied from the Centre by November 28. According to State H&FW Department, as many as 3.25 crore people in Odisha were eligible for precaution dose. Till date, only 1.31 crore citizens have been vaccinated with the precaution dose while the remaining 1.93 crore (59 per cent) are yet to be vaccinated with the same.

So far, 8.14 crore doses of Covid-19 vaccines have been administered to beneficiaries in Odisha, of which 3,52,64,700 (97%) have taken the first dose and 3,30,07,668 (91%) have been vaccinated with the second dose. Only 1,31,81,696 (40%) beneficiaries have received the precaution dose against Covid-19 in the state.