Highlights:
- The nationwide vaccination drive exceeds the 99 crore mark.
- Health Minister applauded the efforts put in by the States and Union Territories in achieving the milestone
- States and UTs urged to prioritise districts in dire need of special attention in terms of vaccination.
The first vaccine drive was initiated in India on 16th January. Healthcare workers were the first to be immunized starting February 2nd, followed by front-line workers. Union Health Minister, Mansukh Mandaviya, took to Twitter on 19th October to reveal the aggregate dosage of Covid-19 vaccines administered across the country.
He was exhilarated to share that the number had crossed 990 million. “Go for it India’’ he exclaimed. A nationwide covid vaccination drive commenced on January 16th this year. Following the health fraternity, frontline personnel including people from state and central police forces, armed forces, home guards, prison workers, civil defense and disaster management teams, municipal workers, PRI staff, along with revenue workers engaged in containment and surveillance, employees of Railway Protection Force (RPF) and polling officials were made eligible for vaccination.
The vaccination drive was broadened by the Government from March 1st and incorporated all aged above 60 years and comorbid individuals above 45 years. Ahead of April 1st, every individual over 45 years of age satisfied the eligibility to get vaccine shots. From the 1st of May, all 18+ people had access to the vaccine. The center has encouraged the states and union territories to target surplus the coverage of second vaccine dosage and speed up the vaccination drive given the requisite availability of shots.
A statement issued by the Health Ministry highlighted the fact that, Union Health Secretary, Rajesh Bhushan the entire vaccination progress with support from health secretaries and mission directors of national health missions in states and union territories. Mr. Bhushan revealed that India is not far from administering a billion doses and lauded the vaccination efforts of states and union territories.
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In line with the above, the states and union territories were urged to spot out and give priority to the districts that were low in terms of vaccine coverage, implement focused action, identify requirements for mobilization efforts, cater to local challenges faced by the communities, setup of additional covid vaccination centers and enhance accessibility in rural areas.
A total of 13,058 fresh covid cases were reported in the past 24 hours, the least in 231 days, according to the data released by the health ministry. The total number of active cases in the country at present is approximately 183,118.
