Wilful absentees from Covid vaccination will not enjoy govt privileges

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Tuesday said the health care workers (HCWs) and frontline workers (FLWs) refusing to take the Covid-19 vaccine will cease to enjoy the privileges granted by the government in case of Covid-19 infection.

In a letter to district collectors and municipal corporation commissioners, additional chief secretary (Health) P.K. Mohapatra said they will not get free treatment, financial and other benefits in case of death.

“It is hereby directed that all healthcare workers and frontline workers, who have been registered for vaccination but are now willfully refusing the same without any genuine grounds (of a contra-indication condition) will henceforth cease to enjoy the privileges granted by the government in case of Covid infection,” said Mohapatra.

He said it has come to notice that despite repeated instructions and opportunities given, few registered HCWs and FLWs have not taken the first dose of Covid-19 vaccination.