India becomes fastest COVID-19 vaccinating country in world, over 8.70 cr doses administered

India has administered more than 5.69 crore coronavirus vaccine doses in the past 70 days, since the country’s extensive COVID-19 vaccination drive began on January 16, 2021, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare informed on March 26.

As per the Health Ministry’s provisional report, a total of 5,69,57,612 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been given till 7 pm on March 26.

These include 80,66,471 healthcare workers who have taken the first dose and 51,27,234 healthcare workers who have taken the second dose, 86,79,307 frontline workers who have taken the first dose, 34,96,356 frontline workers who have taken the second dose, 2,57,01,645 beneficiaries aged above 60 years and 58,86,599 beneficiaries aged above 45 years and with specific co-morbidities.

As many as 14,53,172 COVID-19 vaccine doses were given till 7 pm on March 26, which marked the seventieth day of the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive. Out of these, 13,32,550 beneficiaries were vaccinated for the first dose and 1,20,622 healthcare workers and frontline workers received their second dose as per the provisional report. Final reports for the day would be completed by late tonight.

India’s COVID-19 vaccination drive was expanded on March 1 to include senior citizens, and those aged between 45 and 59 years and have specific co-mobordities. From April 1, all persons aged 45 years and above will be able to get vaccinated against the novel coronavirus.