India Achieves a Milestone in Covid-19 Vaccination
The uptick in jab numbers offers hope in the fight against the pandemic
Monday, June 28, 2021, was a red-letter day in India’s heroic battle against the pandemic. India’s total administered jabs touched a peak of 323.64 million that was marginally higher than 323.32 million shots given in the U.S.
Suddenly, the air is thick with optimism. The buoyancy in inoculation has raised hopes that India may be able to tackle a possible third wave better than it handled the second wave.
India started inoculating its population on January 16, 2021, a month after the U.S started giving the jabs. It prioritized frontline healthcare workers in the first phase. Gradually, vaccination was opened to the general population in phases.
India relies on two vaccines presently- Covishield, licenced by AstraZeneca to Serum Institute of India. one of the world’s largest vaccine producers and Covaxin, India’s own vaccine that has been developed by Bharat Biotech.
The government proposes to inoculate the entire adult population of about 960 million by December end. The central government is supplying the vaccines free to the states. Vaccination is free in government vaccination centres. Those who can afford to pay can visit private…
