NEW DELHI: India recently achieved a milestone by administering one billion COVID-19 vaccine doses, and the government promoted the breakthrough in song and video. Mansukh Mandaviya, Health Minister, will launch music and a film at the Mughal-era Red Fort in New Delhi to “celebrate the landmark milestone”, his ministry said.
After a slow beginning, India’s immunisation campaign has helped protect three-quarters of its 944 million adults with at least one dose. The government aims at getting all adults vaccinated this year.
“India scripts history,” Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, tweeted. “We are watching the triumph of Indian science, initiative and spirit of all Indians.” Nearly 90% of the vaccines India has administered come from the Serum Institute of India (SII) under the AstraZeneca (AZN.L) umbrella. SII has increased its production threefold since April and can now produce 220 million vaccine doses per month.
The health ministry declared hosting of musical and visual events across the country and special illuminations and light shows of national monuments, including a colonial-era jail.
“India’s progress represents the country’s commendable commitment and labours to ensure that these life-saving vaccines are available worldwide,” said Poonam Khetrapal Singh, regional director, World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia, while congratulating the country for reaching the landmark on behalf of WHO.
India has recorded 34.1 million COVID-19 cases and more than 452,000 deaths since the start of the pandemic. Most fatalities were reported during the second wave influenced by the Delta variant that surged through the country.
Despite the current dip in cases, ministry officials have urged people to get vaccinated as soon as possible. This initiative comes in light of the ongoing festival season, which means mass gatherings and huge crowds of shopping, raising the risk of a new wave of infections.