Odisha govt decides to give booster doses to students free of cost

By Subrat Kumar Sarangi

New Delhi, July 15: It’s good news for students of Odisha. They will now be administered free booster doses at engineering colleges, hostels and other higher educational institutions.

This was informed Odisha chief secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra on Thursday.

The announcement came after Mr Mahapatra reviewed the Covid-19 situation in a high-level meeting and directed Collectors and concerned departments to remain extremely vigilant and vaccinate 18-59 age group on campaign mode.

The CS also directed to intensify the awareness and enforcement activities like wearing of masks, avoiding the crowd, and maintenance of physical distance.

Mr Mahapatra directed the Collector and the Municipal Commissioners of all ULBs to spread information about the location of vaccination centers, call center and help center numbers, and facilities for treatment.

This apart from, medical colleges and district administrations were asked to have separate Covid wards. They were also directed to be in all readiness for enhancing the number of beds as per requirement.

Earlier on Wednesday, health and family welfare director Bijay Panigrahi informed that the state government is prepared to provide free booster doses at 2,500 vaccination centres.

“The state has adequate number of health workers to vaccinate booster doses to beneficiaries. However, we have not enough stock of vaccines compared to number of beneficiaries. And the Centre will be informed about it,” said Panigrahi.