India administered over 2.5 crore Covid-19 vaccine doses on Friday, setting a new record on PM Narendra Modi’s birthday. This is the first time that more than two crore jabs have been administered in a single day
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed medical professionals, healthcare workers and front-line workers who have worked towards making the Covid-19 vaccination drive a success. PM Modi said, “Every Indian would be proud of today’s record vaccination numbers. I acknowledge our doctors, innovators, administrators, nurses, healthcare and all front-line workers who have toiled to make the vaccination drive a success. Let us keep boosting vaccination to defeat Covid-19.”
As per the COWIN portal till 9:24 pm, 2,24,85,624 vaccine doses were administered so far today.
Taking to Twitter, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said that the historic feat is a gift to PM Modi on behalf of the health workers and the countrymen. “#VaccineSeva A gift to Prime minister Narendra Modi on behalf of the health workers and the countrymen. Today, on his birthday, India has crossed the historical figure of administering 2 crore vaccines in a day, setting a new record. Well done India,” Mandaviya tweeted.
Union Minister Smriti Irani also tweeted on the occasion and said two crore vaccine doses in a day is India›s gift to PM Modi. “India›s gift to PM @narendramodi Ji! 2 crore vaccine doses in a day and counting. A big shout out to our frontline workers for their dedication. Thank you India!” she tweeted.
“9 hours. 2 Crore Vaccine Doses Administered. Great Going, India! #LargestVaccineDrive #VaccineSeva,» My Gov India tweeted from its official Twitter handle.
India has administered more than one crore Covid-19 vaccines in a day on earlier occasions. The vaccination drive in the country commenced on 16 January with the inoculation of healthcare and frontline workers. Currently, India is administering Covid-19 vaccines—Covishield of Serum Institute of India (SII), Bharat Biotech›s Covaxin and Sputnik V.
Meanwhile, the Central government has started preparing for another historic landmark by administering 100 crore vaccine doses before mid-October and is expected to reach the target between 5 and 10 October, sources told ANI on Friday.
The Union Health Ministry is planning to celebrate the day with events across the country that involve Covid warriors and healthcare workers who played an important role in vaccination. The expected date of celebration can be on 7 October as it will coincide with the day when PM Modi was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Gujarat for the first time in 2001.
“Once, we cross 100 crore vaccinations, we are planning a celebration to be held at various places across the country with Covid warriors, frontline workers and healthcare workers,” sources told ANI. 77.24 crore vaccine doses have been administered so far under the nationwide vaccination drive, the minister informed earlier on Friday.
WITH AGENCY INPUTS