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

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

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

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

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

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

Coronavirus in India

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

India's vaccination drive

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

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

(Image Credits: PTI)