Sanitation worker gets first COVID-19 vaccine shot in Odisha
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A sanitation worker was given the first COVID-19 vaccine because the Odisha authorities started its mass vaccination drive at 161 centres throughout the State right here on Saturday.
The worker — recognized as 51-year-old Biranchi Naik, who has been working at Capital Hospital for the previous 30 years — acquired a Covaxin jab.
“I would be lying if I say I was not scared before taking the vaccine. However, when the Prime Minister and Chief Minister have been giving assurances on vaccination, no one should be worried,” mentioned Mr. Naik.
The worker, whereas interacting with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, mentioned he was feeling wonderful after getting the first dose.
The director of Capital Hospital and a senior physician additionally took the vaccine in order to dispel doubts in the minds of individuals. Similarly, Gitanjali Batmanabane, Director of AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, acquired the vaccine.
At 11.05 a.m., the first vaccine dose was administered. “It is matter of great satisfaction that the vaccination has marked our entry in the critical last leg of our fight against COVID-19. We intend to vaccinate 16,100 persons at the rate of 100 persons each at 161 centres on Saturday,” mentioned Pradipta Mohapatra, Additional Chief Secretary (Health).
“We are trying to cover 3.28 lakh health workers under the vaccination programme by January 25. As many as 1.92 lakh out of 3.28 lakh will be vaccinated with the first lot of Covishield and Covaxin. We are confident that second batch of vaccines will arrive on time,” mentioned Mr. Mohapatra.
“Currently, the second phase of enumeration of police and fire service personnel is under way and employees of municipal administration will be enumerated in the third phase by January 25,” mentioned the Health Secretary. The State will rely aged folks above 50 and folks with co-morbidities in the fourth section.
Mr. Patnaik interacted and took suggestions from those that have been immunised in completely different districts on the first day.
“This is good news for us. A long wait finally comes to end with the vaccination programme. We again seek the cooperation of doctors and health workers, who have worked hard for the past 10 months for the success of the current vaccination programme,” he mentioned.
Mr. Patnaik additionally congratulated vaccine manufacturing corporations for rising to the event.
The State authorities has determined to pause the vaccination drive for a day on Sunday in order to look at the influence of the vaccine. The drive will resume on Monday.
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