The COVID-19 vaccination drive in India completed one year on Sunday, January 16.
The largest such drive in the world has achieved the milestone of over 68% fully vaccinated individuals, while more than 92% have received at least one dose, PTI reported quoting health ministry officials.
Over 156.76 crore doses have been administered in India, making it the first country to cross 100 crore doses within nine months, on October 21 last year.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the nation on Twitter, “Today we mark #1YearOfVaccineDrive.
I salute each and every individual who is associated with the vaccination drive.
Our vaccination programme has added great strength to the fight against COVID-19. It has led to saving lives and thus protecting livelihoods.”
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He added, “When the COVID-19 pandemic first struck, we did not know much about the virus. However, our scientists and innovators immersed themselves in developing vaccines. India feels proud that our nation has been able to contribute to fighting the pandemic through vaccines.”
Here’s a look at the timeline:
1. The country-wide programme commenced on January 16, 2021, starting with healthcare workers
2. This was followed by people over the age of 60 and those above 45 with comorbidities starting March 1
3. Exactly a month later, all over the age of 45 were eligible to receive their doses
4. This was further expanded on May 1 to cover everyone above 18
5. Adolescents in the age group of 15-18 also became eligible to get vaccinated from January 3 this year
6. Booster doses began for healthcare and frontline workers and comorbid people aged 60 and above from January 10
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According to an infographic shared by the health ministry, India has set many new records, including the highest number of citizens covered on day 1, the highest single-day vaccination on September 17 last year, and of the fastest vaccination drive.
More than 43.19 lakh precaution doses of the vaccine have been administered. Also, 3,38,50,912 first doses have been given to beneficiaries in the 15-18 years age group.
