1,000,000,000
DOSES ADMINISTERED IN INDIA
India celebrated administering its billionth Covid-19 vaccine dose yesterday, the second country to reach the milestone after China. India has the world’s largest population after China.
About half of India’s nearly 1.4 billion people have received at least one dose while around 20 per cent are fully immunised. India yesterday reported 18,400 new cases and 160 deaths — dramatically below the worst days in May when daily fatalities exceeded 4,000.
Overall, it has recorded around 34 million infections and over 450,000 deaths.
Billboards announcing the feat with a photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi were posted across New Delhi. A song and film to commemorate the milestone were released, and the Indian flag was unfurled at the Red Fort in New Delhi.
India’s SpiceJet unveiled a special livery on three Boeing 737 aircraft featuring an image of Modi and health workers.
Modi: Country now has a strong protective shield
Hailing the achievement, Modi said: “To combat the biggest pandemic in 100 years, the country now has a strong protective shield of 100 crore [one billion] vaccine doses. This achievement belongs to India, every citizen of India.”
The government is now optimistic that the rising vaccine supply will be enough to cover its international commitments.
The Serum Institute of India is now producing around 220 million doses a month and Bharat Biotech about 30 million, V.K. Paul, head of the Covid-19 taskforce, said.
Next challenge
India earlier said it aimed to vaccinate all eligible adults by the end of the year. Though the campaign began in January, by mid-June, only about 3.5 per cent of the population had been fully vaccinated.
In recent months, life in India has swung back to normal. Markets buzz with activity, foreign tourists are allowed again after a 19-month hiatus and the country is gearing up to celebrate Diwali. States where infections were swelling a few weeks ago have seen a sustained decline.