India has set a new record by crossing a target of 200 crore vaccinations in just 18 months, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya tweeted.
The total number of precaution doses administered in the 18-59 age group has crossed 1,06,32,488, according to ministry data. The 75-day drive to provide free precaution doses to all those aged 18 and above at government vaccination centres commenced on Friday. So far, 2.81 crore vaccine doses have been administered to those aged 60 and above.
As many as 3.79 crore children in the 12-14 age group have been administered the first dose, while more than 6.08 crore adolescents in the 15-18 age group have been given the first dose.
Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has lauded the people of India for showing remarkable faith in science and crossing the special figure of 200 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses. He also appreciated the spirit and determination of doctors, nurses, frontline workers, scientists, innovators and entrepreneurs in the campaign.
The Prime Minister tweeted in response to the announcement by the Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya: “India creates history again! Congrats to all Indians on crossing the special figure of 200 crore vaccine doses. Proud of those who contributed to making India’s vaccination drive unparalleled in scale and speed. This has strengthened the global fight against COVID-19.
Throughout the rollout of the vaccine, the people of India have shown remarkable faith in science. Our doctors, nurses, frontline workers, scientists, innovators and entrepreneurs have played a key role in ensuring a safer planet. I appreciate their spirit and determination.”
The countrywide vaccination drive was rolled out on January 16 last year with healthcare workers getting inoculated in the first phase. The vaccination of frontline workers started from February 2 last year. The next phase of COVID-19 vaccination commenced on March 1 last year for people over 60 years of age and those aged 45 and above with specified co-morbid conditions.
The vaccination of all those aged above 45 began on April 1 last year. The government then decided to expand the ambit of the vaccination drive by allowing everyone above the age of 18 to be inoculated against COVID-19 from May 1 last year. The inoculation of adolescents in the 15-18 age group commenced on January 3.
India began administering precaution doses of vaccines to healthcare and frontline workers and those aged 60 and above with comorbidities from January 10. The country began inoculating children in the 12-14 age group from March 16 and also removed the comorbidity clause, making all those aged above 60 eligible for precaution doses of COVID-19 vaccines. India began administering precaution doses to all aged above 18 on April 10.
