Bhubaneswr, April 25: In a major development, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday announced free vaccination for everyone in the State above the age of 18.
In a video message to the people of the State, Patnaik said the Government will be spending Rs 2,000 crore towards vaccinating 2 crore people aged 18-44 years.
“Those in the age group of 18-44 years will not have to spend a single rupee for Covid vaccination as the State will pay for it,” Patnaik announced.
Meanwhile, orders for the procurement have already been placed and the Government will spend around Rs 2,000 crore for the purpose.
Orders for 377 lakh doses of Covishield and 10.34 lakh doses of Covaxin have been placed for third phase vaccination from May 1.
Except for Bhubaneswar, rest area would be covered by Covishield, sources said.
Odisha on Sunday reported 6,116 Covid-19 cases while seven patients succumbed to the disease. So far, the ystate has logged 4,07,457 positive cases, while the death toll stands at 1,988. The active cases in the State stands at 45,949 while 3,59,467 patients have recovered, so far.
