India has given out over 180 crore Covid-19 vaccine doses, which is 3.2 times more than the United States and 12.7 times more than France. The Indian Health Ministry said crore doses were given out in less than a year.
The global COVID case spike caused by the Omicron variety resulted in a peak six times higher than prior waves, but India was able to curb its spread, resulting in fewer hospitalizations and deaths than previous surges, the government said on Thursday.
According to the Union Health Ministry, India contributed only 0.21 percent of global cases in the week ending March 15, with 3,536 cases recorded on average.
It was stated that many countries are still reporting an increase in instances that is greater than past surges.
“Not only was the claimed peak in India substantially lower, but the constant efforts also resulted in a rapidly falling trajectory.”
During a webinar on India’s Public Health Response to Manage COVID-19, a health ministry official said, “The country managed the Omicron surge far better than others.”
During the third wave in India, officials reported that an expedited vaccination campaign, combined with excellent containment measures and early case identification, resulted in fewer hospitalizations and deaths.
They claimed that by December 31, 2021, when the first signs of the third wave appeared, India had already vaccinated 90.8 percent of the eligible population with the first dosage and 65.4 percent with the second, saving lives.
Officials said India had delivered more than 180 crore vaccine doses, which is 3.2 times that of the United States and 12.7 times that of France, in less than a year.
According to the government, at least the first dose has been given to 96.74 crore adult recipients in India, which is 2.96 times the population of the United States and 6.71 times the population of Russia.
It further stated that 81.52 crore people are fully vaccinated, which is 3.83 times the population of Brazil and 12.13 times that of the United Kingdom.
“India has been able to decrease the number of deaths by focusing on early identification, seamless admission, and good application of clinical management guidelines,” an official stated in a meeting with NGOs.
NGOs were vital in reducing community anxiety, eliminating vaccine apprehension, motivating people for vaccines, testing, facility admission, outreach to the vulnerable population, and, most importantly, delivering accurate information, he said.
The ministry emphasised that timely immunisation, face mask use, and COVID-appropriate behaviour are still the new normal. It also stated that maintaining progress made in the long-running struggle against COVID-19 requires sustained engagement with NGOs.
