THE world’s largest Covid-19 vaccination drive began in India on January 16 this year with a target to vaccinate 300 million people by August. Expectedly and deservedly, the first phase of the drive covered all healthcare (HCWs) and frontline workers (FLWs) engaged in daily battle with the deadly coronavirus. Around one crore frontline health workers and two crore frontline workers were expected to receive the vaccine in the first phase. However, only 50-70% of healthcare workers across various states have been reported to have taken the first dose.
The opening up of the second phase of the vaccination drive, which began on March 1 to include people older than 60 years and those above 45 years with comorbidities, literally gave the vaccination drive a shot in the arm. Senior citizens, in particular, showing great enthusiasm, turned up in large numbers for their vaccine shot.
Till March 21, 2021, the number of vaccine doses given has crossed 4.4 crore. These include 77,79,985 HCWs (1st dose), 48,77,356 HCWs (2nd dose), 80,84,311 FLWs (1st dose), 26,01,298 FLWs (2nd dose), 36,33,473 beneficiaries aged over 45 years with specific co-morbidities (1st dose) and 1,76,27,418 beneficiaries over 60 years, as per data from the health ministry.
However, the vaccine drive is not moving at the pace envisaged, given the huge population. If the target of vaccinating 300 million beneficiaries by August is to be met, 4-5 million doses, on an average, need to be administered daily. But till March 20, a little over 1.6 million doses were given. This is clearly not enough.
This story is from the April 05, 2021 edition of India Legal.
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This story is from the April 05, 2021 edition of India Legal.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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