1.8mn in 18-44 yrs age group have received first jab: Govt data

NEW DELHI: Close to 1.8 million people between ages 18 and 44 have received their first Covid-19 vaccine shot, government data showed on Sunday, even as states are making efforts to widen their immunisation drives by procuring more doses for this age group.

The inoculation numbers are yet to pick up, with the central government maintaining that the vaccination process in this age group will smoothen once the vaccine supply chain improves in coming weeks.

“Our first priority is 45-plus category as it is this population group that runs the maximum risk of developing serious disease. For the rest of the adult population group, the service was opened as part of expanding the coverage to phase-3 level. As supplies (vaccine) get better, more slots will open up,” a central government official said on condition of anonymity.

About 180 million Covid-19 vaccine doses have been administered in the country so far. “Ten states account for 66.78% of the cumulative doses given so far in the country,” Union health ministry said in a statement.

There has been a massive surge in the number of new Covid-19 cases over the past few weeks, and the global community has come to the aid of the Indian government as the country’s health care delivery system is stretched thin.

As per recent government data, nearly 500,000 Covid-19 positive cases currently are in intensive care units (ICUs), with over 170,000 people on ventilator support at various hospitals across the country, with many more seriously ill patients in need of hospital beds.

“A dedicated Coordination Cell has been created in the Union Health Ministry to coordinate the receipt and allocation of foreign COVID relief material as grants, aid and donations. This Cell started functioning from 26th April 2021. A Standard Operating Procedure has been framed and implemented by the Health Ministry since 2nd May, 2021,” said the health ministry statement.