Odisha government targets at least 1 dose for most over 45

BHUBANESWAR: Changing its priority of administering the second dose of Covishield to those who have already got the first dose, the state government on Friday decided to inoculate as many as possible in the 45+ age group with the first dose. The move comes after the Centre increased the gap between two doses of Covishield from 6-8 weeks now to a minimum of 12 weeks.
Additional chief secretary (health) Pradipta Kumar Mohapatra said there are not that many people due for second dose. “That is the reason the government will now give priority to people who have not been inoculated even once,” Mohapatra said.
Those who have already booked appointments on Co-WIN for second dose, their appointments would not be cancelled. They would be advised through suitable awareness activities to reschedule their appointments. In case anyone who has pre-booked a date for second dose and is not ready to defer even if the period is less than 84 days, then that person would be allowed to take the second dose. The portal would not allow new bookings for second dose within 12 weeks of the first.
The National Technical Group on Immunization (NTAGI) and National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration (NECVAC) have revised schedule for second dose of Covishield to 12-16 weeks compared to the earlier 6-8 weeks. There will, however, be no change in time interval of two doses of Covaxin, which is 4 to 6 weeks.
“As per the earlier schedule of 6-8 week gap between two doses, the second dose was due for more than 20 lakh people. That number has almost come down to zero,” director family welfare, Bijay Kumar Panigrahi, said.
The government received 2.4 lakh doses of Covishield for inoculation of 18-44 age group. The vaccine will be used in Rourkela, Sambalpur, Berhampur and Cuttack, where the inoculation of 18+ started on May 11. Now, Puri is likely to be added to the list of vaccination for 18-44 age group from Monday.
The state also received 75,000 doses of Covaxin from the Centre’s supply for administering the jabs to people above 45 years. The same would be used in Bhubaneswar.