COVID-19: Around 3.2 Lakh People to Be Vaccinated in First Phase in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government is fully prepared with a proper system in place for a massive COVID-19 vaccination drive whenever the vaccine is available.

According to Health and Family Welfare Department Director Bijay Kumar Panigrahi, around 3.2 lakh people including health workers and ailing elderly persons will be vaccinated in the first phase in the State after it will be rolled out in the country.

The State Government has made all necessary arraignments for the vaccination drive against the coronavirus. Nearly 8,276 healthcare workers will be deputed at 29,276 vaccination centers for the drive. There are 1222 cold chains for the preservation of the COVID-19 vaccine, 1796 ILR for transportation and 1772 freezers in the State, he said.

Earlier on Monday, the Centre issued detailed guidelines for the COVID-19 vaccination drive in the country.

Under phase one of the vaccination drive, the Government is planning to vaccinate nearly 30 crore people, including healthcare & frontline workers, people above 50 years of age and those under 50 with comorbidities.

Around 100 to 200 people will be vaccinated during each session per day. People will be monitored for 30 minutes after administering the shots for any adverse event, the Health Ministry said.