By PTI
NEW DELHI: The number of Covid vaccine doses administered in a day crossed one crore on Saturday after more than two months, taking the total jabs given so far to over 127.5 crore, amid fears of the Omicron variant of coronavirus.
Four cases of the Omicron variant have been reported in India so far. The vaccination has gathered pace in the country over the last one week after South Africa reported the new variant which has been designated as a variant of concern by WHO. More than one crore vaccine doses have been administered till 8.15 pm on Saturday.
“India achieves another 1,00,00,000 #COVID19 vaccinations today! With the #HarGharDastak campaign in full swing, the world’s #LargestVaccinationDrive is touching new heights & accomplishing new feats under PM @NarendraModi ji’s leadership,” Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya tweeted.
The daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of the final reports for the day by late Saturday night.
According to the government data, 59.32 lakh vaccine doses on average were administered per day in November compared to 19.69 lakh doses per day in May this year.
Besides, 55.77 lakh doses on average were administered per day in October, 78.69 lakh in September and 59.29 lakh in August. Officials said around 84.8 per cent of the adult population in India has been given the first dose of the Covid vaccine, while 50 per cent has received the second dose.
The countrywide vaccination drive was rolled out on January 16 with healthcare workers (HCWs) getting inoculated in the first phase.
The vaccination of frontline workers (FLWs) started from February 2. The next phase of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from March 1 for people over 60 years of age and those aged 45 and above with specified co-morbid conditions.
The country launched vaccination for all people aged more than 45 years from April 1. The government then decided to expand its vaccination drive by allowing everyone above 18 to be vaccinated from May 1.
