India on Thursday crossed another significant milestone in its battle against the coronavirus pandemic, as it touched 100 crore Covid vaccinations — including both the first and second doses.
‘We are witnessing the triumph of Indian science, enterprise and collective spirit of 130 crore Indians,’ Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted.
A closer look at the vaccine data shows that India’s inoculation drive has been fairly equitable — with over 65 per cent of total vaccine doses being administered in rural areas. Overall, while 74 per cent of the estimated adult population have received the first dose, 31 per cent are fully vaccinated.
India began its nationwide vaccination drive on January 16, 2021. As per the Union government, 75 per cent of the eligible population in India has taken the first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine at present.
WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus took to Twitter to congratulate Prime Minister Narendra Modi, scientists, health workers and the people of India on their efforts to protect the vulnerable populations from Covid-19 and achieve vaccine equity targets. US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman congratulated India and commended the country’s commitment to ramping up vaccine production for export. She said, ‘With the Quad, the US and India are working together to vaccinate the world and end the pandemic.’
