Drive-in Covid vaccination, doorstep vaccination not allowed: Odisha govt

Bhubaneswar: As different municipal corporations and district administrations in Odisha launched drive-in Covid vaccination and doorstep vaccination facilities for elderly people and differently-abled, the Health and Family Welfare Department today directed them to desist from such activities.

Additional Chief Secretary of Health and Family Welfare Department, PK Mohapatra in a letter to District Collectors, Municipal Commissioners, CDMOs and PHOs stated drive-in or door-step vaccination is not allowed as per the Covid-19 Operational guidelines issued by the Government of India.

Mohapatra further mentioned, “In drive-in / door step strategies, it will be difficult to manage Adverse Effects Following Immunization (AEFI), if it occurs, and there is also high likelihood of vaccine wastage.”

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare guideline clearly states that vaccination sessions shall be conducted in places with adequate space for waiting area, vaccination room and observation room and have adequate facility to manage AEFI, Mohapatra stated.

Beneficiaries who receive the Covid vaccine are required to be observed for at least 30 minutes after vaccination for AEFI (if any).

Worth mentioning, several municipal corporations including Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, Cuttack Municipal Corporation, Berhampur Municipal Corporation and Rourkela Municipal Corporation and district administrations launched either drive-in vaccination or door-step vaccination facilities recently.