Subhechcha Ganguly 
At about noon on Sunday, India achieved the milestone of administering 200 crore (2 billion) doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, over one and a half years after the campaign’s launch in January 2021. On October 21 of last year, nine months after the immunisation push began, the nation reached the milestone of administering the first 100 crore (1 billion) shots. Another nine months pass before the subsequent 100 crore dosages are given. Data from the health ministry show that 98% of adults have taken at least one dosage, and 90% have received all recommended doses.The statistics revealed that 82% of teenagers between the ages of 15 and 18 have received the first dosage of the vaccine since the immunisation programme for this age group began on January 3, while 68% have received both the first and second doses. “India makes history once more! Congratulations to everyone in India on reaching the historic milestone of 200 crore vaccination doses. I’m proud of everyone who helped make India’s immunisation campaign the largest and fastest in the world,” Modi wrote on Twitter.India is approaching a significant milestone, but the booster dosage coverage has been a source of worry. The government reported earlier this week that only 8% of the nation’s overall population had so far taken a third swing at Covid. In an effort to inspire people, a nationwide 75-day programme offering free booster injections at government facilities was started on Friday. The ad also commemorates India’s 75th anniversary of independence, which the nation will reach next month.
By Subhechcha Ganguly
