Bhubaneswar: With an aim to vaccinate all the teens of the state between 15 to 18 year age, the Odisha Government has set up 939 exclusive Vaccination centers in the state which will start vaccination from tomorrow morning. The government aims to complete the vaccination of the teens between 15 and 18 years by the end of this month. While the exclusive counters will cater to the particular age group, other regular vaccination centers will also provide vaccination. As of Monday evening more than 6.5 lakh people between the ages 15 to 18 have registered themselves in the CoWIN site for vaccination in the state.
School And Mass Education Department Principal Secretary Satyabrata Sahu chaired a high level meeting of the officials belonging to the Education and Health departments today which reviewed the preparations for the vaccination of the teens that is going to start from tomorrow morning. All the young population born before 7th December 2007 will be vaccinated in the state. The vaccination will be held at nearby health centres or schools. All preparations have been made by the Department of Health. Principals will provide adequate space on campus for vaccination drive and raise awareness among all students. The second dose vaccine to the 15 to 18 group will be given within 18 to 40 days of receiving the first dose. Students who are currently infected with COVID-19 infection will be administered vaccine after 3 months.
During the meeting, Principal Secretary Satyabrata Sahu, advised that the students of 9th and 11 classes should be vaccinated first as the students of 10th and 12th are scheduled to appear for examinations. The students of 10th class will be given vaccines after 8th January and students of 12th class will be vaccinated after 11th January. All the Collectors and District Education Officers have been asked to report the progress of the vaccination to the Higher Education Directorate.
Bhubaneswar Municipal Commissioner Sanjay Singh has said that the Civic body is fully prepared to undertake the vaccination from tomorrow.
Vaccinations centers will be opened in all the High schools of the Capital. All officials of BMC are working in close coordination with the Health Depart and District authorities.