The total number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country surpassed 118 crore on Tuesday, according to the Union Health Ministry. Over 68 lakh vaccine doses were administered on Tuesday until 7 p.m., it said, adding that the tally is expected to rise as final reports for the day are compiled late at night.
The countrywide vaccination drive was rolled out on January 16 with healthcare workers getting inoculated in the first phase. The vaccination of frontline workers started from February 2. The next phase of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from March 1 for people over 60 years of age and those aged 45 and above with specified co-morbid conditions.
Vaccination for all people aged more than 45 years was launched on April 1. The government then decided to expand its vaccination drive by allowing everyone above 18 to be vaccinated from May 1.