India has inched closer to a new landmark in its vaccination drive as the cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered reached nearly 19 crore 50 lakhs with around one crore beneficiaries in the age group of 18 to 44 years getting their first dose.
The Union Health Ministry has informed that on the 127th day of the largest vaccination programme in the World, the nation administered over 15 lakh 52 thousand doses of COVID vaccine. It also said, nearly six lakh 82 thousand people in the age group of 18 to 44 years received their first jab in the past 24 hours.
Bihar, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh have so far administered more than 10 lakh beneficiaries of the age group 18-44 years for their first dose of COVID vaccine.
So far over 15 crore 19 lakh people in the country have received their first dose of COVID vaccine whereas around 4 crore 30 lakh have been completely vaccinated with both the required doses.
The Centre is continuously reviewing and monitoring the vaccination programme at the highest level as a tool to protect the most vulnerable population groups in the country from COVID-19. The liberalised and accelerated Phase-3 Strategy of Covid-19 Vaccination has come into force from 1st of this month under which people in the age group of 18 to 44 years are also being vaccinated.