Odisha Health Minister Inaugurates Vaccine Store in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: In a significant move towards ensuring seamless vaccine distribution and bolstering immunization efforts, Minister of Health & Family Welfare and Parliamentary Affairs, Niranjan Pujhari, inaugurated the State Vaccine Store at Nilandri Vihar, Bhubaneswar.

Expressing his commitment to achieving the goal of “Sustha Odisha, Sukhi Odisha” (Healthy Odisha, Happy Odisha), Minister Niranjan Pujhari lauded the efforts of the Odisha government in providing quality healthcare services. He highlighted that Odisha’s full immunization coverage stands at an impressive 90.5%, as per the National Family Health Survey 5 Report, the highest among all states in the country. The occasion also marked the release of the booklet on “Ensuring Quality Vaccine Supply Chain under Universal Immunization Programme, Odisha.”

Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Health & FW Department, Shalini Pandit, emphasized the significant contribution of immunization to the reduction of mortality among under-five children. She noted a remarkable 50-point decline in under-five mortality in Odisha, from 89 in 2008 to 39 in 2020, as per the SRS Report. Pandit expressed the commitment of healthcare providers in Odisha to ensure that no child is left unvaccinated.

William Hanlon Jr., Chief of Field Officer, UNICEF, Odisha, praised the state’s progress in immunization coverage and reiterated UNICEF’s commitment to supporting the further strengthening of health services.

Dr. Bijaya Kumar Panigrahy, Director, Family Welfare, Odisha, commended the robust Cold Chain & Vaccine Management system in the state, emphasizing the use of eVIN, a digital platform, to monitor vaccine and logistics availability and maintain proper temperatures across all cold chain points. Dr. Panigrahy expressed gratitude for the support of UNICEF, WHO, and UNDP in strengthening the immunization program in the state. The newly inaugurated vaccine store is expected to play a crucial role in ensuring the uninterrupted supply of vaccines and bolstering Odisha’s immunization efforts.