India has achieved a major milestone in its war against Covid-19 as increasing vaccinations in the country crossed the 100 crore mark on Thursday.
After china, administering more than 200 crore doses, India is only the second country to have reach the landmark of 100 Crore jabs. While the vaccination stats of countries with significant populations like the US, Brazil and Indonesia have been largely flat, India’s has been rising steeply. According to the Government data, almost 75% of the population has taken at least first dose, with eight states and UTs achieving 100% coverage of the first dose.
After a slow start taking 85 days to administer the first 10 crore doses, India almost halved the time taken to reach the next 10 crore in 46 days. The vaccination drive picked up pace thereafter, taking 28 days for the next 10 crore. While, India took a total of 202 days to reach the 50 crore mark after it began giving shots, it took just 76 days more to hit the 100 crore landmark.
India ranks second to China in fully vaccinating over 28 crore of its population in terms of cumulative number. Approx. 10 crore more than the US and equal to the fully immunized population of Japan, Germany, Russia, France and the UK put together.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed doctors, nurses and all those who had worked tirelessly to make the achievement historic. “India scripts history. We’re witnessing the triumph of Indian Science, enterprise and collective spirit of 130 crore Indians. Congrats India on crossing 100 crore vaccinations. Gratitude to our Doctors, Nurses and all those who worked to achieve this feat. #VaccineCentury”, PM tweeted.