Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has decided to prioritize vaccination of 1st dose to Health Care workers (HCWs), Frontline Workers (FLWs), and beneficiaries of 45 years and above.
The decision came following revision in the schedule of Covishield to administer 2nd dose at 12 to 16 weeks interval after 1st dose instead of the earlier interval of 6 to 8 weeks,
Additional Chief Secretary (Health) PK Mohapatra, in a letter to all Collectors, Municipal Commissioners and CDM & PHOs, informed that in the current scenario, the load for Covishield 2nd dose due beneficiaries at the district level will be very minimal.
Therefore, Mohapatra has instructed officials concerned to take necessary steps at their level to widely disseminate the revised schedule for Covishield among all Programme Officers, Programme Managers, Verifiers, Vaccinators and citizens.
Notably, the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) and National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19 (NEGVAC) have recommended revision in the schedule of Covishield to administer the 2nd dose at 12 to 16 weeks after 1st dose instead of the earlier interval of 6 to 8 weeks.
