Odisha Becomes First State To Pause Covid-19 Vaccination Drive On Sunday - Know Why

As many as 1.92 lakh healthcare workers would receive vaccine within a week using the available vials in the first phase. The state has received 4.08 lakh doses of Covishield vaccine and 20,000 doses of Covaxin vaccine in the first phase.

(Representative Image PTI)

Bhubaneswar: Hours after India successfully kicked-off world's largest Covid-19 vaccination drive, Odisha administration decided to pause the first phase of inoculation process for a day on Sunday to observe those who recieved the jibe today.

"We want to observe those who took the vaccine. From Monday, the vaccination drive will continue till all 3.28 lakh health workers are inoculated," said Pradipta Mohapatra, the additional chief secretary (health).

Odisha is the only state in the country to halt Coronavirus vaccination drive. 

Covid-19 vaccination drive began at 161 sites spread across 30 districts of the state on Saturday. Biranchi Nayak, 51, a sweeper in Capital Hospital of Bhubaneswar became the first person to get the Covid vaccine Covaxin on Saturday.

"I am happy and excited that I received the much-awaited vaccine. I am feeling well," said Biranchi Nayak, the sanitary worker.

Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Pradipta Kumar Mohapatra informed that a total of 16,100 healthcare workers would receive the Covid-19 vaccine on the first day. "A Class IV staff of Capital Hospital took the 1st jab followed by the director of the facility and another doctor. This is a big day for us in the fight against Covid-19," said Mohapatra.

As many as 1.92 lakh healthcare workers would receive vaccine within a week using the available vials in the first phase. The state has received 4.08 lakh doses of Covishield vaccine and 20,000 doses of Covaxin vaccine in the first phase.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik interacted with beneficiaries at a particular site in each district. In the first phase, 9,000 health workers will be administered vaccine under the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) area.

Union Minister Dharmedra Pradhan said this is a historic day for the citizens of India. 

Over 1.65 lakh beneficiaries were inoculated with COVID-19 jabs at 3,351 session sites across the country on Saturday and no case of post-inoculation hospitalisation has been reported so far, the government said on the first day of India's massive vaccination drive against the virus.