Cuttack: The Odisha government announced Thursday that all frontline workers, including doctors involved in the fight against coronavirus will get free vaccination once the vaccine is available in the market. They will also be the first on the list to receive the jab state Health and Family Welfare Minister Naba Das said Thursday. After the corona warriors, elderly persons and those with other comorbidities will be included in the vaccination drive. The guidelines announced by the Odisha government are more or less in line with those announced by the Centre a few days back.
Addressing a press conference here, Das said the vaccination drive is expected to start from January. Several committees including one headed by the Chief Secretary and others in the district and block level have been constituted in this regard, he informed.
“Doctors, health workers who are our corona warriors and elderly persons in Odisha will be administered COVID-19 vaccine free of cost. In the second phase, we have urged the Centre to vaccinate Municipality workers,” Das said.
Das said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had earlier announced that first priority will be given to corona warriors and senior citizens and the health department will follow the direction of the CM.
The Directorate of Medical Education and Training (DMET) Dr CBK Mohanty had earlier said December 15 that in the first phase 3.2 lakh people in Odisha will receive COVID-19 vaccination.
PNN