19.5 crore vaccine shots administered so far as India steps up war on Covid-19

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The total number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country has gone up to 19.5 crore, according to the latest data compiled by the health ministry.</p>
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As many as 6,82,398 people in the younger 18-44 years age group received their first dose of the COVID vaccine on Saturday taking the total number to  99,79,676 across 37 States and UTs since the start of phase-3 of the accelerated vaccination drive.</p>
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<strong>State-wise scenario</strong></p>
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Bihar, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh top the list with more than 10 lakh doses being administered to people in the 18-44 years age group. Delhi comes next with over 9 lakh COVID vaccine shots being given to this category followed by Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh with 7 lakh and 6 lakh respectively.</p>
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The vaccination drive which started on Jan 16 has been accelerated and is expected to pick up further momentum with production of the two India-made vaccines Covishield and Covaxin being ramped up and imports of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine having started. Production of the Sputnik V vaccine is likely to start from August.</p>
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<strong>More vaccines coming</strong></p>
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NITI Aayog member Dr VK Paul has said,  “We will have 2 billion vaccine doses in the next five months – made by India and used by India.”</p>
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Another 750 million of the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine, manufactured in India by the Serum Institute of India under the Covishield brand, as well as 550 million doses of Covaxin, made by Bharat Biotech will be produced between August and December, Paul told reporters at a news conference.</p>
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The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) has signed a deal to produce 850 million doses  a year  of Sputnik V in India. Apart from Dr Reddy’s Laboratories there are four other Indian pharmaceutical companies that will also manufacture the vaccine.</p>
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The Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine was first approved in Russia on August 11 last year. With an efficacy of 91.6%, as published in the Lancet Medical Journal, the vaccine has been cleared and approved for mass use in more than 50 countries.</p>
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Currently, the third phase of India’s vaccination drive is underway as every citizen above the age of 18 became eligible for a jab starting May 1.</p>
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India’s vaccination drive against Covid-19 began on January 16, two weeks after the DCGI announced clearance for both Covishield and Covaxin.</p>