People aged above 18 years recommended for COVID-19 vaccination: Odisha Govt

Bhubaneswar: COVID-19 vaccination, which will begin across the country on January 16, is recommended for people aged above 18 years, said Odisha Government’s Technical Adviser Jayant Panda at a press meet here today.

The vaccines- Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin and Oxford-AstraZeneca’s Covishield- have been approved by Drug Controller General of India (DGCI) after proper examination and hence are safe.

“Though the vaccination is not mandatory, we recommend the vaccines for betterment of the people. The vaccines  are also helpful against the UK strain of the virus. It will take two months to complete first phase of vaccination which will be done free of cost, “he added. 

Detailing further, the official said high-risk group people will be vaccinated in the first phase. Though health workers’ families have been included in the first phase vaccination, their families will be vaccinated in later period.

COVID-19 positive patients are advised to take the vaccine shot only after completion of isolation period. People who have been cured of the disease are also advised to get vaccinated, he said. 

“Registration is mandatory for vaccination. Registered people have to show their identity proof like Aadhaar, PAN, passport, bank passbook or any other ID proof recognised by Government to get vaccinated. After getting two doses of the vaccine, people will receive a message from Co-WIN and later be provided with a certificate,” the Government official added.

Panda reiterated that people should continue washing their hands frequently, wearing mask and maintaining social distancing even after getting vaccinated.