Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has stated that the State Government is fully-prepared for the vaccination programme when the Covid vaccine would be available.
During a virtual meet of Chief Ministers with Prime Minister Modi on the status and preparedness of Covid-19 response on Tuesday, Patnaik said, “Odisha is fully prepared with a system in place for vaccine distribution when it is available with focus on frontline health workers, people above 50 years and co-morbidity.”
With a cautious note, Patnaik added that the duration of the vaccine’s efficacy against Covid-19 virus is still unknown. “Though we have prepared for a seamless vaccination programme to save every life on a priority basis, we can’t lower our guard even if when the vaccine is available,” he said.
Emphasising on the need of use of masks to prevent the spread of Covid-19 pandemic, he said, “We need to ensure that we all continue to wear masks, practise social distancing and hygiene to protect ourselves against Covid-19. Let’s resolve not to take the virus lightly.”