Medicine store employees in Odisha to get Covid jab on priority basis

Bhubaneswar: As staff and employees of medicine shops have been working during the Covid pandemic and lockdown, and shutdown, the Odisha government today decided to provide them with Covid vaccine on priority basis.

Additional Chief Secretary of Health and Family Welfare Department, PK Mohapatra in a letter to District Collectors, Municipal Commissioners, CDMOs and PHOs asked them to ensure vaccination of staff and employees of medicine shops on priority subject to availability of the vaccine.

The letter further stated employees of medicine stores aged 45 years and above will be given vaccine supplied by the Government of India whereas employees aged 18 to 44 years shall be vaccinated with state procured vaccines.

The State government has exempted medicine stores from lockdown and shutdown restrictions as essential service providers.