Odisha issues alert over fake Covishield vaccine,local authorities to be vigilant

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Saturday issues alert over fake Covishield vaccine doses in the state.

Additional Chief Secretary of Health Department, PK Mohapatra, in a letter stated that Odisha have been directed to monitor the use of falsified Covishield vaccine and unscrupulous activities such as special sessions by Private CVC under Near to Home CVCs.

The decision was taken in the wake of the Medical Product Alert issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) after the identification of counterfeit/falsified Covishield vaccines in South-East Asia and African region.

In view of the Medical Product Alert, the Health Ministry has asked to increase the vigilance within the supply chains and carefully authenticate the product and its physical condition before its use.

In addition, the Ministry has emphasized the need to guard against unscrupulous activities, especially for special sessions conducted by the Private Hospitals under Near to Home CVC and any such activity reported should be taken seriously and prompt action shall be initiated against such practices.

Mohapatra, therefore, requested the local authorities to remain vigilant and regularly monitor to avoid such incidences in their district or Municipal Corporation.

It is worthwhile to mention that the WHO Medical Product Alert refers to falsified Covishield (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 Corona Virus Vaccines (Recombinant)) has been identified in the WHO African Region, and the WHO South-East Asia Region.