While the second phase of Covid-19 vaccination began in the State on Monday, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik took his first dose of Covid-19 vaccine on Monday. He was administered COVAXIN at the State Assembly Dispensary here. In a tweet, Patnaik said, “Happy to share that I took first dose of #COVID19 Vaccine today. Grateful to out scientists, health workers for their race against time to deliver the vaccines to people. Appeal to eligible people to come forward and get vaccinated for a # COVID Free Odisha.”
The second phase of Covid-19 vaccination drive began for the citizens who are aged, or will attain the age of, 60 years or more as on January 1, 2022 in addition to all such citizens who are aged, or will attain the age of, 45 years to 59 years as on January 1, 2022 and have specific co-morbidities.The vaccine is administered free of cost at all Government health facilities while the private hospitals cannot charge the beneficiary a sum of more than Rs 250 per person per dose (Rs 150 for vaccine and Rs 100 as operational charges). As many as 183 private hospitals empanelled under the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) in the State have been authorised for Covid-19 vaccine administration.