27.8.21

Half of India’s adults have now got at least one dose of vaccine

Half of the country’s adult population eligible for Covid vaccines has received at least one dose, which includes 99% coverage among healthcare workers and 100% frontline workers for the first dose. A little more than 60% of the over-60 population has also been covered by at least a first dose of the vaccine.

The average daily vaccinations during August so far also increased to 52.16 lakh doses from 43.41 lakh and 39.38 lakh in July and June, respectively. The government said supply situation of vaccines appears satisfactory as in the past few weeks there have been no reports from any state relating to vaccine shortages.

Vaccine supplies are also likely to improve further from October as Zydus Cadila has indicated to the government that its DNAbased anti-Covid jab, ZyCoV-D, will be available from the first week of October. The government is still negotiating with the company on terms and price of procurement, Bhushan said.

While ZyCoV-D has been given emergency use authorisation for use in all above 12 years, the final decision regarding starting vaccination of children of 12-18 years will be based on National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation’s recommendations.

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