India achieved a significant milestone in its ongoing COVID-19 vaccination drive today. On day 130 of the drive, the cumulative COVID Vaccination Coverage crossed the 20 crore mark. Out of the 20,06,62,456 covid shots administered so far in India, 15,71,49,593 people have received their first dose, while 4,35,12,863 of them have got the second dose of COVID-19 vaccines as well.
India’s COVID-19 Vaccination drive, the world’s largest vaccination drive so far, was launched on 16 January 2021.
India 2nd country to achieve 20 cr mark after US
India is the second country after the United States to achieve this coverage in just 130 days. The US took 124 days to reach the 20 crore mark.
As per the data available on Our World In Data and other sources, the United Kingdom vaccinated 5.1 crore doses in 168 days, Brazil reached the 5.9 crore mark in 128 days, and Germany achieved the 4.5 crore mark in 149 days.
According to the Union Health Ministry, over 34 percent population above 45 years has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in India. Similarly, over 42 percent of the 60 plus population in the country has received at least one dose of the vaccine.
India is administering three vaccines against COVID-19 in its immunization drive. These include two made-in-India vaccines: Covishield of Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin. The Russian Sputnik V is the third vaccine to get approval from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for Emergency Use Authorisation and is being used in a few private hospitals; the number is expected to be increased over the coming days.
In Phase I of the vaccination drive started 130 days ago on 16th January, the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19 (NEGVAC) prioritized Health Care Workers, and Front Line Workers (both government & private sector). Phase II of the vaccination drive started from 1 March 202, focused on protecting the most vulnerable age groups. These prioritized age groups included persons above 60 years of age and persons above 45 years with associated specified co-morbidities. This was further relaxed to all people above 45 years of age on 1 April 2021. In Phase III, ‘Liberalised Pricing and Accelerated National COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy’ was adopted on 1 May 2021. Under this strategy, everyone above 18 years of age is eligible for the vaccination.
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