Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government has decided to give priority on the beneficiaries who are waiting to take the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
Currently, as many as 17,47,000 beneficiaries, including 11,71,000 senior citizens and 5,76,000 persons in the age group of 45-60, are waiting to take the second dose of vaccine and have completed 28 days of taking the first doses.
Amid shortage of vaccines in the State, the government has decided to halt administering the first jab dose of Covishield vaccine and focus on the beneficiaries seeking second dose of the vaccine.
As per the decision, if vaccine remains available after meeting the need of the second dose beneficiaries, it will be used for the first dose of left out frontline workers and healthcare workers.
The State Government has asked the district administrations to plan the vaccination programme accordingly in their respective areas.