Bhubaneswar: Health Care Workers (HCWs) and Front Line Workers (FLWs), who have been registered for COVID-19 vaccination but are now willfully refusing the same without any genuine ground, will cease to enjoy the privileges granted by the Odisha government.
In a letter to all the Collectors & District Magistrate, and the Commissioners of Bhubaneswar, Cuttack. Berhampur, Sambalpur and Rourkela Municipal Corporations, Additional Chief Secretary to Govt, Health & Family Welfare Department, PK Mohapatra said it has come to notice that despite repeated instructions and opportunities given, few registered HCWs & FLWs have not taken the first dose of COVID vaccination.
“Over 85% of Health Care Workers have been vaccinated and the vaccination of Front Line Workers is ongoing with good coverage. Odisha is in 3rd position with reference to COVID-19 vaccination of HCWs & FLWs at National level,” said ACS PK Mohapatra.
“Odisha has claimed COVID-19 vaccine doses from Govt of India as per the numbers of HCWs & FLWs registered for vaccination If the allocated vaccines are not fully utilised, then the state would missing out on a critical opportunity to fight the pandemic. Further, those HCWs & FLWs who remain unvaccinated put both their community and their workplace at risk of COVID transmission,” Mohapatra added.
The Health Dept ACS further stated that all HCWs & FLWs, who have been registered for vaccination but are now willfully refusing the same without any genuine grounds (of a contra-indication condition) will henceforth cease to enjoy the privileges granted by the Government in case of COVID infection, namely: free treatment, the period of isolation/treatment being counted as duty, financial and other benefits in case of death etc.
He further directed the authorities concerned to take steps to ensure that all HCWs & FLWs take the opportunity to take the COVID-19 vaccine within the timeline given by MoHFW.
