Bhubaneswar: The state government has decided to start the trial run of vaccination of the 18-44 age group population in the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) area Saturday.
However, the regular vaccination session for the age group of 18-44 years will start from Monday, said an official of the state health department here Friday afternoon.
The government took the decision after it received 1.5 lakh doses of Covaxin at 9 pm Friday. This was the first consignment of the state’s own procurement for vaccination of the 18-44 age group, the official stated.
This vaccine will be used in the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation limits for which slots will be opened on the COWIN app for the sessions to be held from May 3 onwards.
Monday, the state will have a trial, symbolic commencement of 18-44 age group’s vaccination drive, with vaccination of a token few beneficiaries in view of the urban area weekend shutdown, the official added.
In the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation area, 10.34 lakh doses of Covaxin are needed for the third phase. Besides, 3.77 crore doses are needed for the rest of the state.
Speaking on the ongoing vaccination of people above 45 years of age, Additional Chief Secretary (Health), PK Mohapatra said, there are 6.30 lakh people who are waiting for their second dose of Covid vaccines.
“The admissible time gap between the first and second dose is 6 to 8 weeks. Therefore all districts need to ensure that people (45 years and above) whose second dose is due get vaccines on priority,” he said.
PNN