Covid-19 vaccination drive begins in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The Covid-19 vaccination drive began at 161 sites spread across 30 districts of the state on Saturday.

A total of 16,100 healthcare workers would receive the Covid-19 vaccine today- the first day of the drive, informed additional chief secretary (Health) Pradipta Kumar Mohapatra.

The state has received 4.08 lakh doses of Covishield vaccine and 20,000 doses of Covaxin vaccine in the first phase.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will interact with beneficiaries at a particular site in each district.

The government is targeting to complete the first dose of vaccination of 1.92 lakh healthcare workers within a week using the available vials.

In the first phase, 9000 health workers will be administered vaccine under the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) area.

First vaccine shot was given to a sanitary worker of Capital Hospital.

This is a historic day for the citizens of India. Corona warriors will be administered Covid19 vaccine in the first phase. Everyone has a crucial role in the immunisation drive, said Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

He said roll-out of Covid-19 vaccination drive by Prime Minister Narendra Modi across the country, including in 160 centres in Odisha, is a significant moment in our fight against the pandemic.