50 crore jabs given in India, PM Modi says Covid fight gets ‘strong impetus’

As India crossed the 50-crore vaccination mark on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to the Twitter to say that the country’s fight against the pandemic has received a “strong impetus”.

“India’s fight against Covid-19 receives a strong impetus. Vaccination numbers cross the 50 crore mark. We hope to build on these numbers and ensure our citizens are vaccinated under #SabkoVaccineMuftVaccine movement,” the Prime Minister tweeted.

On this, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya congratulated the people and thanked healthcare workers. “India soars high on #COVID19 vaccination, historic record of 50 crore doses administered to date,” he tweeted.

In another tweet highlighting the pace of the vaccination drive, the minister said that India has crossed the 50 crore doses milestone under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Sabko Vaccine Muft Vaccine campaign. He then that said India achieved the 10 crore doses milestone within 85 days, went from 10 crore to 20 crore in 45 days, from 20 crore to 30 crore in 29 days and from 30 crore to 40 crore in 24 days. Ten crore vaccine doses, from 40 crore to 50 crore, were administered in just 20 days, Mandaviya said.

Covid-19 vaccination in the country began on 16 January with healthcare workers and frontline workers being inoculated in the first phase. In the second phase, those aged over 60 years and those aged between 45 years and 60 years and suffering from comorbidities were covered. From 1 April, vaccinations were opened up for everyone above the age of 45 years. From 1 May, the immunisation drive was opened up for the 18-44 years age group.

The affidavit was filed in response to the court’s questions to the government on its vaccine policy.