Covid vaccination: 15.5 lakh precaution doses administered on first day of special drive

In comparison, only about 5.5 lakh precaution doses were administered each day on an average over the past seven days. Around 13.4 lakh total vaccine doses were administered on an average each day over this period.

Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Mansukh Mandaviya launches the nationwide ‘Covid Vaccination Amrit Mahotsava’ at government Covid Vaccination Centres (CVCs) for the next 75 days, at Nirman Bhawan in New Delhi. (PTI Photo)

MORE THAN 15.5 lakh precaution doses were administered across the country till Friday late evening, of which over 13 lakh were in people aged between 18 and 59, according to data on government’s CoWIN portal. Friday marked the beginning of the Centre’s programme offering free precaution doses to all adults for 75 days to mark the 75th year of Independence.

In comparison, only about 5.5 lakh precaution doses were administered each day on an average over the past seven days. Around 13.4 lakh total vaccine doses were administered on an average each day over this period.

The uptake of the third precaution dose has been slow ever since it was opened up for healthcare workers, frontline workers, and those aged above 60 with co-morbidities in January this year. The highest peak of precaution dose administration was, in fact, seen during the second week of January when more than 37 lakh precaution doses were administered in seven days.

Story continues below this ad

After dropping to just over 12 lakh precaution doses in a week in May, the numbers started going up again the following month when the government started the Har Ghar Dastak campaign, focusing specifically on uptake of precaution dose in the elderly and the second dose in children. The numbers increased to 33 lakh precaution doses in July second week, according to CoWIN data.

Significantly, there was a slight increase in the number of precaution doses administered even in Delhi where the state government had made the precaution doses free for all adults two weeks after the government opened up the drive. The Centre opened up the precaution dose drive to all adults in April but the shots were available only on payment at private centres to those aged between 18 and 59. There were just over 22,000 precaution doses administered in Delhi on Friday as compared to 19,000 doses that were being administered each day on average during the previous seven days.

“As part of #AzadiKaAmritMahotsav celebrations, free Covid-19 Precaution Dose drive for all adults for the next 75 days has commenced. I urge all eligible to get their Precaution Dose. PM @NarendraModi Ji’s Govt is committed to creating a Healthy & Safe India,” Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya tweeted on Friday.

So far, India has administered 199.4 crore doses of Covid-19 vaccines, of which only 5.26 crore are precaution doses. Of these, only 78.1 lakh were in people between the ages of 18 and 59 years. This is much lower than the 4.48 crore doses administered in elderly.

Anonna Dutt

Anonna Dutt is a Principal Correspondent who writes primarily on health at the Indian Express. She reports on myriad topics ranging from the growing burden of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension to the problems with pervasive infectious conditions. She reported on the government’s management of the Covid-19 pandemic and closely followed the vaccination programme. Her stories have resulted in the city government investing in high-end tests for the poor and acknowledging errors in their official reports. Dutt also takes a keen interest in the country’s space programme and has written on key missions like Chandrayaan 2 and 3, Aditya L1, and Gaganyaan. She was among the first batch of eleven media fellows with RBM Partnership to End Malaria. She was also selected to participate in the short-term programme on early childhood reporting at Columbia University’s Dart Centre. Dutt has a Bachelor’s Degree from the Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune and a PG Diploma from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. She started her reporting career with the Hindustan Times. When not at work, she tries to appease the Duolingo owl with her French skills and sometimes takes to the dance floor. ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Loading Taboola...

India-US deal, India-US trade deal, grand bargain on oil, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, Phil Murphy, importing Russian oil, Russian oil, Piyush Goyal, Trump Tariffs, trump tariff impositions, India-US ties, trade war, us trade war, donald trump, reciprocal tariffs, Trump India trade deal, India US tariff cuts, Trump India tariffs announcement, India US trade agreement, Modi Trump trade talks, India US economic relations, India lowers tariffs for US, US India trade negotiations, Trump Modi tariff deal, India US import export policy, Trump on India tariffs, US India business ties, trade war India US, India trade policy changes, India US tariff reduction, Indian express news, current affairs

India-US deal could involve a grand bargain on oil: New Jersey Governor

Business5 hr ago

Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey, a prominent Democratic leader, opposes President Trump's decision to impose steep tariffs on allies. However, he believes there is room for negotiation in the India-US trade deal and supports measures against Russia. Murphy also expresses concern over the H-1B visa issue and hopes for a quick solution.

View all shorts

Live Blog