India scripted history on 21st October when the COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the nation crossed the 100-crore mark. The Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya declared and congratulated India for achieving this feat. The top states which have administered the highest number of doses are Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. CoWIN Portal of the Indian Government noted that around 75% of India’s eligible adult population has been administered with at least the first dose of vaccine, and around 31% has received both doses of the vaccine.

The countrywide vaccination drive started on January 16, with healthcare workers getting vaccinated in the first phase. According to the data by Union Health Ministry, India took 85 days to reach the mark of 10 crore vaccinations, and 45 more days to cross the 20-crore mark. In the next 53 days, India touched the mark of 40 crores, and then 20 more days to surpass the mark of 50 crore vaccinations till August 6. And it then took 76 days to surpass the 100-crore mark. And when the Centre announced the feat, it received praises for the accelerated vaccination drive, even after being severely hit by the second wave of COVID-19 in the midway.

India has achieved an important milestone in its vaccination program. These large numbers might be impressive, but it is also important to notice the massive population of India. China has also managed to cross the 100-crore mark, but it is essential to note that only these two nations have populations of over 100 crores. Presently, the Indian Government has aimed to fully vaccinate the country's adult population by December 2021. The government and Task Force have also announced to focus on the immunization drive which will shift to ensure vaccination of the maximum number of eligible beneficiaries.

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Reference:

• www.mohfw.gov.in
• www.cowin.gov.in