The pandemic hit us early last year and began expanding its footprints two months later in March, followed a period lockdowns, curbs, vaccine trials and then the vaccines, of which two were Made-in-India — Covishield by Serum Institute of India and Covaxin backed by Bharat Biotech and clinical research body Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

Covishield, the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine being manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, “is made from a weakened version of a common cold virus (known as an adenovirus) from chimpanzees. It has been modified to look more like coronavirus – although it can’t cause illness,” a BBC report said. Covishield has an overall efficacy of 70 per cent.

Covaxin, the other Made-in-India vaccine, has been developed by Bharat Biotech in partnership with National Institute of Virology and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). It was approved for emergency use on January 3. Though the vaccine is still in clinical trial. The vaccine has an efficacy of 78% according to ICMR.  

A year later on January 1, 2021, India began the largest vaccination drive in the world. In the first phase the healthcare and frontline workers were inoculated to make sure that they are covered when they step out to work.

The second phase was launched on March 1 for senior citizens above 60 years of age, and people above 45 years of age with comorbidities. The registration for the same was to be done on Aarogya Setu app, which crashed soon after the registration opened.

The third phase of vaccination included 45+ and those with comorbidities and the drive kickstarted on April 1. The same procedure was to be followed and on the day registration began, the Aarogya Setu app gave in.

The third phase, meant for all above 18, will begin on May 1 amid the massive second wave of the pandemic that saw a massive surge in the number of COVID-19 cases. This surge has led to a severe shortage of medical resources and vaccines are needed more than ever today to control the peaks and flatten the curve of the pandemic. And the people across the nation are possibly counting hours to get the jab and when the window opened the portal CoWin, the vaccination portal, crashed. It, however, started for some about 30 minutes later.

For the last few months, the first of every month has been the day to wait for because it brings hope, happiness, and a few minutes of crashes too. Wondering what’s in store for the next 1st?