The Centre on Sunday said nearly 12 crore Covid-19 vaccine doses will be available in June, a substantial rise from the 7.94 crore doses that were supplied in May.
According to the Health Ministry, 6.09 crore doses will be allocated by the Centre to states to vaccinate healthcare workers, frontline workers and persons above the age of 45 years.
The health ministry said in June 5.86 crore will be available for direct procurement by the state governments and private hospitals.
“…in June 2021 close to 12 crore (11,95,70,000) doses will be available for the national COVID vaccination programme,” the Health Ministry said in a statement.
“The delivery schedule for this allocation will be shared in advance. States have been requested to direct the concerned officials to ensure rational and judicious utilization of allocated doses and minimize the vaccine wastage. The basic objective behind informing the States in advance of the quantum of free vaccine doses to be made available from Govt of India for 15/30 days and the total vaccine doses which are available for direct procurement by States is to ensure better planning and delivery of vaccine by States,” the ministry said.
According to the ministry, a total of 21.20 crore vaccine doses have been administered in the country – as per official data, 98.62 lakh healthcare workers have received the first dose and 67.72 lakh have received both doses, while 1.55 crore frontline workers have received the first dose, and, 84.89 lakh have received both doses.
Health Ministry data further shows that in the over 60 years age group, the first dose has been administered to 5.84 crore beneficiaries and 1.86 crore have been administered both doses; while in the 45-60 years age group, 6.54 crore people have received the first dose and 1.05 crore people have got both doses.
On May 1, India had rolled out phase 3 of the vaccination, with people of the age group 18-44 years made eligible for Covid-19 vaccination. The Health Ministry said in this age group, 1.83 crore people received the first dose and 9,429 beneficiaries have been administered both doses.