Even As COVID Cases Surge, India Fastest To Administer 100 Million Vaccine Doses

New Delhi: Even as the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic surpasses all previous figures in India, the country is continuing with its vaccination drive at an impressive pace compared to other major countries.

A day after an unprecedented 1.45 lakh fresh coronavirus cases were reported in the country, the the Union health ministry informed on Saturday that the total number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country has crossed 100 million.

India reached that mark in 85 days, thus becoming the fastest nation to achieve that significant milestone.

The US took 89 days to administer 100 million doses of coronavirus vaccine, while China took 102 days to cross that landmark number.

The Prime Minister’s Office tweeted a chart showing India as the fastest country to reach this vaccination milestone, calling it “strengthening efforts to ensure a healthy and Covid-19 free India.”

The Health ministry further said that India is on top in terms of daily vaccination as well, with an average of 38,93,288 doses administered per day.

Eight states — Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Kerala — account for 60.6 per cent of the total doses given so far in the country.

The world’s biggest inoculation drive was rolled out on January 16 with healthcare workers getting the jab, followed by frontline workers from February 2.

Senior citizens and those over 45 with specified comorbidities were eligible to get the vaccine from March 1.

The next phase was launched on April 1, when everyone aged above 45 can take the vaccine.