Published 23:00 IST, August 26th 2021

COVID: In key milestone, India vaccinates 50% of eligible population with atleast 1 dose

Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya informed that India has vaccinated more than 50% of the eligible population with the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Reported by: Kamal Joshi
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Image: PTI | Image: self
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In a major achievement by the country amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, India has vaccinated more than 50% of the eligible population inoculated with the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Calling it an unprecedented milestone, Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Mansukh Mandaviya shared the information on Twitter.

"India achieves unprecedented milestone! 50% of the eligible population inoculated with the first dose of #COVID19 vaccine. Keep it up India (clapping hands sign) Let us fight Corona," the Health Minister tweeted.

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This development is a major boost in India's fight against COVID-19 as many parts of the world including the United States are still battling the pandemic. 

Currently, India has administered more than 61 crore vaccine doses. The 60-crore mark was achieved on Wednesday, August 25, with the last 10 crore doses being administered in just 19 days. 

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India's COVID vaccination drive in numbers:

  • First 10 crore vaccine doses: 85 days
  • 20 crore vaccine doses: 45 days
  • 30 crore vaccine doses: 29 days
  • 40 crore vaccine doses: 24 days
  • 50 crore vaccine doses: 20 days
  • 60 crore vaccine doses: 19 days

As of the 7 am Thursday update by Health Ministry, 46,68,80,859 individuals have been administered the first COVID-19 vaccine. While 13,69.65,616 people have received both doses.

Coronavirus in India

At present, the maximum COVID-19 cases in India are reported from Kerala. As per the latest data shared by states, Kerala logged 30,007 fresh COVID-19 cases, while Assam and Uttar Pradesh reported 562 and 19 new cases respectively. Tamil Nadu has added 1,559 new cases with Delhi reporting just 45 cases. Notably, no COVID-19 death has been reported in the national capital on Thursday.

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India's vaccination drive

India rolled out the world's largest vaccination drive on January 16 to inoculate its citizens against the COVID-19. Currently, three approved vaccines- Serum Institute of India manufactured Covishield, Bharat Biotech's Covaxin and Russia's Sputnik- are being administered to the eligible population at over 57,000 vaccination centres. 

The Centre has also authorised pharmaceutical firm Cipla to import Moderna's COVID-19 Vaccine. The government aims to vaccinate all citizens by the end of this year.

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(Image Credits: PTI)

23:00 IST, August 26th 2021