COVID-19 Vaccination: Over 20 Crore Vaccine Doses Administered So Far, Says Health Ministry

In a significant milestone, India on Wednesday (26 May) crossed the 20 crore cumulative COVID-19 vaccination coverage, as per the Union Health Ministry.

According to the ministry, India achieved this milestone in 130 days since the start of COVID-19 vaccination drive.

"On 130th day of the drive, the cumulative COVID Vaccination Coverage crossed the 20 crore mark (with 20,06,62,456 doses including 15,71,49,593 first dose and 4,35,12,863 second dose of COVID-19 vaccines), as per data available at 7.00 am today (26 May)," the Health Ministry said in a statement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched the nationwide Covid-19 vaccination drive, which is world's largest inoculation exercise, on 16 January earlier this year.

Further, India is the second country after the United States to achieve 20 crore cumulative vaccination coverage in just 130 days. The USA took 124 days to reach the 20 crore mark, the ministry said.

The ministry said that as per the latest available data with it, over 34 per cent population above 45 years of age has received at least first dose of COVID-19 vaccine in India till date. Similarly, over 42 percent of 60+ years of population in India has received at least first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

At present, India is using three vaccines against COVID-19 in its immunization drive, including two made in India vaccines - Serum Institute of India’s Covishield and Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin.

The Russian Sputnik V is the third vaccine to get approval from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for Emergency Use Authorisation and is being used in few private hospitals which are expected to be increased over the coming days, the ministry said.