Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has congratulated his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi and his government for administering 1 billion doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
In a significant effort towards mitigating the menace of COVID-19, India, on Thursday, 21 October, administered more than 100 crores (1,00,02,20,711) vaccination doses to the eligible population in a short span of 9 months.
With 1 billion vaccine doses administered, around 70,83,88,485 people were administered with the first dose. At the same time, 29,18,32,226 people were administered with the second dose of the vaccine.
Congratulating Narendra Modi, Mr Morrison termed it as a ‘huge achievement.’
“Congratulations to my friend Narendra Modi and his government for administering 1 billion doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. A huge achievement. India and Australia are working side by side in the Quad to expand vaccine access across the Indo-Pacific,” tweeted Mr Morrison.
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According to the data available on the Ministry of Health, the COVID-19 vaccine administered to the public offers near-complete protection against the serious complications of the disease.
The COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness in preventing mortality after the first dose stood at 96.6%, whereas after the second dose stood at 97.5%.
Congratulating the country’s entire media fraternity and the people, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “India scripts history. We are witnessing the triumph of Indian science, enterprise, and collective spirit of 130 crore Indians. Congrats, India, on crossing 100 crore vaccinations. Gratitude to our doctors, nurses, and all those who worked to achieve this feat.”
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya took to Twitter and congratulated the countrymen over the remarkable achievement.
Largest Vaccination Drive:
India kickstarted the largest COVID-19 vaccination program covering the entire length and breadth of the country on 16 January 2021 by initiating the vaccination for healthcare workers.
Later the government expanded the vaccination program for frontline workers from 2 February 2021. These include State and Central Police personnel, Armed Force personnel, Home Guards, Civil Defence, Disaster Management Volunteers, Municipal Workers, Election Staff, PRI Staff, and Revenue workers involved in containment and surveillance.
By 1 March 2021, the government announced the further expansion of the world’s largest vaccination program for persons above 60 years of age and those above 45 years with associated specified 20 comorbidities by the Ministry of Health. In addition, by 1 April, the government decided to open up the COVID-19 vaccination drive for all above 45 years of age.
Later, from 1 May 2021 onwards, the government allowed the vaccination for all citizens above 18 years of age and can receive vaccines through State/UT designated government/private hospitals.
Vaccination by States/UTs:
Rising in unity to fight the menace of the deadly pandemic, states have played a significant role to ramp up India’s immunization campaign.
According to the Ministry of Health data (As of 21 October ’21 at 7 AM), Uttar Pradesh leads in the tally among the other states who had administered maximum doses of COVID-19 vaccination. Around 12,21,60,335 vaccination doses have been administered in Uttar Pradesh. Whereas Maharashtra stands second in line with 9,32,25,506 vaccination doses administered. The other top five countries with maximum COVID-19 doses include West Bengal with 6,85,28,936 vaccine doses administered, Gujarat with 6,76,86,913 vaccine doses, and Madhya Pradesh administered with 6,72,43,003 doses.
