Over 19.01 million COVID-19 vaccination doses are available from states and territories: Centre

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Tuesday that more than 19.01 crore of balance and unutilized COVID-19 vaccine doses are still available for distribution to states and union territories.

More than 193.53 crores (1,93,53,58,865) vaccine doses have been delivered to states/UTs so far through the government of India (free of cost channel) and direct state procurement category, according to an official statement from the ministry. Furthermore, more than 19.01 crore (19.01,68,140) unutilized COVID-19 vaccine doses remain with the states and UTs to be delivered.

The Union Government is dedicated to speeding up and broadening the scope of COVID-19 immunisation across the country. The national COVID-19 vaccine campaign began on January 16, 2021.

The next phase of COVID-19 vaccine universalization began on June 21, 2021. The immunisation campaign has been stepped up with the availability of additional vaccinations, increased visibility of vaccine availability to states and UTs for better planning, and simplification of the vaccine supply chain.

As part of the statewide immunisation campaign, the government of India has been supplying free COVID vaccines to states and union territories. In the new phase of the COVID-19 immunisation drive’s universalization, the Union government would acquire and deliver (at no cost) to states and UTs 75% of the vaccines manufactured in the country by vaccine makers.