18 months from launch, India creates history with 200 cr Covid vaccination

New Delhi: India on Sunday achieved a historic feat in its vaccination drive against Covid-19. The cumulative doses administered have crossed the 200 crore mark, the Union Health Ministry said.

The milestone was achieved by 1 pm when total inoculation was recorded at 2,00,00,15,631 doses. This has been achieved through 2,63,26,111 sessions., according to the Co-WIN portal.

In a tweet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the countrymen on bringing about this significant feat. He called India’s vaccination drive “unparalleled in scale and speed”.

"India creates history again! Congrats to all Indians on crossing the special figure of 200 crore vaccine doses. Proud of those who contributed to making India’s vaccination drive unparalleled in scale and speed. This has strengthened the global fight against COVID-19," his tweet read.

"Throughout the rollout of the vaccine, the people of India have shown remarkable faith in science. Our doctors, nurses, frontline workers, scientists, innovators and entrepreneurs have played a key role in ensuring a safer planet. I appreciate their spirit and determination," PM added.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also congratulated the country on achieving this landmark in only 18 months. He stated that “this extraordinary achievement will be etched in history”.

"India has scripted history under PM @NarendraModi Ji's visionary leadership. This extraordinary achievement will be etched in the history!" His Twitter post read.

Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar also thanked the healthcare workers for their hard work, vision and innovation in setting a new record in the service of humanity.

India’s nationwide Covid-19 vaccination program was launched on January 16, 2021.

It took 9 months to reach the earlier milestone of 100 crore doses and another 9 months to reach 200 crore.

On September 17 last year, 2.5 crore vaccine doses were administered in a single day, the highest so far.

The vaccination drive was carried out through a multi-prong approach through initiatives like Har Ghar Dastak, Workplace Covid Vaccination Centres (CVC), School based vaccination, vaccination of persons with no identity documents, Near-to-Home CVC and Mobile Vaccination Teams.

According to the Union Ministry, 71 per cent of vaccination has been done in rural areas while more than 51 per cent of doses have been administered to women.

Meanwhile, on July 15 this year, the Centre launched 75 day long ‘COVID Vaccination Amrit Mahotsav’ to provide free precaution dose to all eligible adult population at Government COVID Vaccination Centres (CVCs). (UNI)