Bhubaneswar: School and Mass Education Department Secretary Satyabrata Sahu convened a meeting of senior officials to review the vaccination of students in the age group of 15 to 18 for COVID-19, on Sunday.
Health Director Dr Bijay Kumar Panigrahi apprised at the meeting that all students who were born before December 31, 2007 will be included in the vaccination schedule.
The vaccination sessions will be organised in the nearest health centre or on school premises. The Health Department has setup all necessary infrastructure for vaccination and Headmaster of schools have been asked to provide space and facility for the sessions.
The school teachers and headmasters will need to create awareness among students to get vaccinated. The second dose will administered within 18 to 40 days after a student has received the first jab, he said.
Those who are affected with COVID-19 can receive the vaccine after three months of recovery. Sahu advised that the students of Std XI be vaccinated first as the students of Std X and XII have exams.
The students of Std X will get the vaccine after January 8 and those in Std XII after January 11, he said. The district Collectors, Disrtict Education Officers and District Health Officers will need to update the S&ME Department on progress in vaccination.
Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Singh informed that all preparations have been done in schools in the State Capital for carrying out vaccinations. The Block Education Officers and school principals will coordinate with CDMOs for the purpose, said Singh.
The students can get registered on Co-WIN through Sanchar or avail on-spot registration at the vaccination sites. Senior officials of the S&ME department, all DEOs and Higher Secondary Education officials were present at the meeting.
