As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage, India is making efforts to inoculate all adults by the end of 2021. But this might be easier said than done, with the daily vaccination numbers trailing far behind the projected tally. Despite the circumstances, Dr NK Arora, the chief of the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration, remains confident.
In an interaction with NDTV, the healthcare official remained convinced that the government would be able to meet its target, noting that vaccine supplies had been boosted in recent days. He also emphasised the significant role the states would play by increasing vaccine centres.
"In June and July, there has been an increase. The country got 5.6 crore doses a month till May, now it is getting 10 to 12 crore doses and next month it should be nearing 16 to 18 crores. From September, we should be having 30 crore plus doses," he explained.
India's cumulative COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 36.89 crore, the Union Health Ministry said on Friday. Cumulatively, more than 11.18 crore doses have been administered in the age group of 18-44 years.
The ministry said over 40 lakh vaccine doses were administered in the last 24 hours. Eight states-- Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka and Maharashtra -- have administered more than 50 lakh first dose of COVID-19 vaccine in the age group of 18-44 years.
(With inputs from agencies)
