Bhubaneswar: As the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry has already announced to launch the much-awaited Covid-19 vaccination drive from January 16, Odisha Health and Family Welfare Director Bijay Panigrahi today informed that the prescribed vaccine would reach here two-three days before.
He also informed that two vaccination session sites, namely Capital Hospital and Sundargarh DHH, would have a two-way communication facility so that they can apprise both the Centre and Odisha Government of the undergoing vaccination process on the day of launching.
Talking to media today, the H&FW Director informed, “Vaccination will be launched at our 160 earmarked session sites in the State. Those launching sites include medical colleges, district headquarters hospitals (DHHs), sub-divisional hospitals, CHCs, Health & Wellness Centres (PHCs) and some private hospitals. The health workers will be vaccinated there. 100 recipients at each session site will be inoculated.”
He added, “The recent dry run (mock drill) was conducted at all the session sites while some new facilities have also been included now. The new ones are also ready with our prescribed guidelines. Out of the 160 session sites, two sites would have two-way communication. The two venues are Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar and DHH Sundargarh. The two will have two-way communication so that they can update the Government of India on the ongoing vaccination exercise on the slated day.”
He further informed, “Polio immunization has been held up temporarily for the urgent Covid vaccination purpose. Polio immunization exercise date will be decided later on.”
Responding to media query on the exact date of the Covid vaccine reaching Odisha, the H&FW Director stated, “Obviously, Covid vaccine will reach the State two-three days before the vaccination drive is launched. After having received, we’ll be distributing to all the districts.”
As per a press note released by the State H&FW Department, Mayurbhanj district of Odisha has the maximum 10 session sites followed by eight each in Cuttack and Ganjam districts, seven session sites in Rayagada and Kalahandi each, six in Sundargarh, Keonjhar and Kendrapara, five in Bhubaneswar MC, Sambalpur district, Koraput, Khurda, Kandhamal, Jajpur and Balasore, four in Bargarh, Dhenkanal, Gajapati, Jagatsinghpur, Jharsuguda, Nabarangpur and Nayagarh districts and so on as per the requirements.
