India is touching new heights every now and then. On Monday, the country witnessed another achievement by overtaking the USA in administering the total number of Covid vaccine doses to its population. A decrease in the fresh Covid cases has also been observed in India.
As per the data released by the Union Health Ministry, a total of 32.36 Crores vaccine doses have been given so far under the nationwide vaccination drive. As of June 28, the US tally stands at 32.33 crores i.e. this many doses of the vaccine have been administered in the USA.
According to the data available at 8 A.M on Monday, more than 31.69 crores (31,69,40,160) jabs have been provided by the Centre to states/UTs so far. Out of this number, the total consumption is 30,54,17,617 doses, including wastages. In the last 24 hours, the administration of 17,21,268 doses took India to set a new record around the World. The centre has said that in May, only 7,95,29,990 doses were available for the national Covid-19 vaccination programme.
After surpassing America and setting a new milestone In the World, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi applauded the commitment of the Centre and states in providing free vaccines to all.
PM Modi took to Twitter and wrote, “India’s vaccination drive keeps gaining momentum! Congrats to all those who are driving this effort. Our commitment remains vaccines for all, free for all.”
The Centre on Saturday told the Supreme Court, “Till June 25 more than 31 crore Covid vaccine doses are administered across the country which included over 1.73 crore doses to Health Care Workers (HCWs). More than 31.69 crore vaccine doses have been provided to states and Union Territories.”
It also added that over 2.66 crore doses have been administered to Frontline Workers (FLWs), around 9.93 crores doses to persons between 45 to 59 years of age and over 8.96 crore doses to persons above the age of 60 years.
Expressing a sense of joy and pride, the Centre also said it such milestones can only be achieved if we keep in view the entire nation. It said, “This endeavour can be successful only by treating India as one unit and considering the question on a pan-India basis. This can be achieved only with each state following the discipline in letter and spirit, and be in tune with simultaneous vaccination of the country avoiding any demands by one state at the cost of other states and residents of the rest of the country.”
According to the Centre, “Each state is informed by it in writing about the number of vaccine doses it would receive on a monthly basis and this exercise is absolutely essential so as to have uniform vaccination throughout the country. We are in constant and direct touch with state governments to ensure that these facilities are created and augmented on a war footing.”
The data of 28 June showed a major dip in Covid cases. On Monday, India recorded 46,148 fresh Covid cases and 979 deaths, which is the lowest since April 13 in a span of 24 hours. A total of 58,578 patients have shown recovery from the deadly disease.
The five states which topped the number of cases registered were Kerala (10,905 cases), Maharashtra (9,974 cases), Tamil Nadu (5,127 cases), Andhra Pradesh (4,250 cases) and Karnataka (3,604 cases).
As for the deaths, Maharashtra reported maximum casualties followed by Tamil Nadu.