NEW DELHI: India on Sunday breached a significant global milestone in Covid-19 vaccine delivery by administering more doses to its population through the month of August than all the developed G 7 nations put together.
The Health Ministry data show that India administered 180 million doses in August, as against Canada’s 3 million, UK’s 5 million, Germany’s 9 million, France 13 million, US 23 million, Japan 40 million.
Cumulatively, India has administered over 68.46 crore (68,46,69,521) doses as per provisional reports till 7 am today.
The feat came even as daily Covid cases remained above 40 000 (42766) for the fifth day with Kerala driving the surge.
Recent easing of supplies through augmented production of Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin and Serum Institute’s Covishield has made the escalation of the national inoculation drive possible.
The Ankleshwar plant in Gujarat has also started operating and is producing Covaxin.
India’s daily dose Covid administration has improved from 2.35 lakh in January to 3.77 lakh in February, 16.39 lakh in March, 29.96 lakh in April, 19.69 lakh in May, 39.89 lakh in June,43.41 lakh in July and over 60 lakh in August.
Himachal, Sikkim and Daman and Diu have achieved 100 per cent first dose coverage of adults, while Ladakh, Lakshadweep and Dadra and Nagar Haveli have covered 88 per cent adults with first dose.