India crosses 20 crore vaccinations mark in 130 days
Darpan News Desk IANS, 26 May, 2021 09:56 AM
New Delhi, May 26 (IANS) India has crossed 20 crore cumulative Covid-19 vaccinations, achieving this milestone in 130 days since the start of the vaccination drive on January 16, the Health and Family Welfare Ministry said on Wednesday.
On the 130th day, the cumulative Covid vaccination coverage stood at 20,06,62,456 doses, including 15,71,49,593 first doses and 4,35,12,863 second doses, as per data available at 7 a.m. on Wednesday.
India is the second country after the US, which took 124 days, to achieve this level.
Also, as per the data available on Our World In Data and multiple news articles, other leading countries in Covid vaccination drive include the UK which has reached 5.1 crore mark in 168 days, Brazil with 5.9 crore in 128 days, and Germany which reached 4.5 crore mark in 149 days.
As per the latest available data with the Union Health Ministry, over 34 per cent population above 45 years, and 42 per cent above 60 years, has received at least the first dose of the vaccine so far.
As of date, India is using three vaccines against COVID-19 in its immunisation drive; these include two made in India vaccines - Serum Institute of India's Covishield 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 few private hospitals so far.
In Phase 1 of the vaccination drive, started on January 16, the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19 (NEGVAC) prioritised all health care workers, and front line workers, while Phase 2, starting from March 1, focused on protecting the most vulnerable age group - 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 April 1.
In Phase 3, under the "Liberalised Pricing and Accelerated National Covid-19 Vaccination Strategy" adopted on May 1, everyone above 18 years of age was eligible for the vaccination.
A 63-year-old woman from Kangra who failed to disclose her travel history following her return from Dubai and was later tested positive for COVID-19 has been booked under Section 270 of the IPC, which carries a maximum imprisonment of upto two years.
In an unprecedented incident, a Mumbai man allegedly killed his younger brother for trying to step out of home during the ongoing 21-day lockdown period, police said here on Thursday.
"I hereby donate an amount of Rs 5,00,000/- each (Rs five lakhs) towards the "Chief Ministers Relief Fund" for the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to fight against COVID-19," she tweeted.
The Scitech Airon Ionizer is described as one of the most compact, effective and cheapest in the world for similar products, according to the scientist.
India is said to be preparing a more than $18 billion recovery and sustainability package for its industries and large workforce in the unorganised sector, industry sources in the know said on Wednesday.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said that the government is currently addressing the compliance related issues and an economic package covering issues of concern to the industry would be announced separately later.
