The Odisha government has decided to vaccinate vulnerable people even if they don’t have the required identity proof. District collectors have been asked to identify such groups and make arrangements for their vaccination.

Additional chief secretary and head of the health and family welfare department P.K. Mohapatra said: “Process has begun to vaccinate all these people. In all the phases of Covid-19 vaccination drive, it was made mandatory for the beneficiaries to register themselves on the cowin portal for which identity and eligibility of the beneficiaries was required to be established through one of the seven prescribed ID proofs but some vulnerable groups of citizens may not possess any of the seven prescribed identity cards.

“Such vulnerable persons cannot be denied vaccines for the lack of identity proof. Hence, there is a need for special consideration in the case of such vulnerable population as these people are also at risk of Covid-19 infection.”

The vulnerable groups include nomads, sadhus and saints from different sects and religions, inmates of mental health institutions, senior citizens in the old age homes, road side beggars, people residing on streets and in rehabilitation centres.

All the municipal corporations have been asked to initiate steps for preparations for their vaccination.

Odisha’s number of active Covid cases is inching towards the one lakh mark, reaching 98,230 on Wednesday.