The findings showed that the currently available Covid-19 jabs provide strong protection for most people against hospitalisation and death, even during the delta surge. However, higher hospitalisation and death rates are observed in older age groups, regardless of vaccination status.
Bhushan also discussed the details of the states and UT's balance stock of 0.5 ml syringes, vaccination coverage among special groups (Transgender Persons, Persons with Disabilities, PWI and Prisoners), Covid vaccination coverage among women particularly pregnant and lactating.
"All districts have been ordered to prioritize administering second jabs to the beneficiaries. Odisha government has set a deadline for vaccinating all teachers and non-teaching faculties by September 5 for which dedicated vaccination centres have been set up to fulfil the purpose."
In order to achieve daily target of 3.5 lakh inoculations, Odisha health department has asked Collectors, Municipal Commissioners, CDM&PHOs to improve the pace of Covid-19 vaccination.
India administered more than 93 lakh COVID-19 vaccine doses on Friday, the highest ever in a single day, the Union health ministry said in a statement.
The government in May had further extended the gap between the two doses of Covishield from 6-8 weeks to 12-16 weeks and said the decision to increase the gap was based on scientific evidence.
Cumulatively, 19,45,18,646 people in the 18-44 age group across all states and union territories have received their first dose and 1,51,14,678 have received their second dose since the start of phase-3 of the vaccination drive, it said.
The ministry said 22,93,781 beneficiaries in the age group of 18-44 years were administered the first dose, while 4,32,281 received the second dose of the vaccine on Friday.
Cumulatively, 16,92,68,754 people in the 18-44 age group have received the first dose and 1,07,72,537 have been administered the second dose of the vaccine since the start of the third phase of the nationwide inoculation drive, the ministry said.
Additional Commissioner, BMC, Laxmikant Sethy said that the civic body had covered a wide range of beneficiaries including those from rural areas on the outskirts of the town. Huge number of outsiders keeps commuting to the city regularly. “No one has been ignored,” he added.
India's Covid-19 vaccination coverage crossed the landmark of 46 crore on July 30. Cumulatively, 46,15,18,479 vaccine doses have been administered through 54,94,423 sessions, as per the data of the Health Ministry.
Cumulatively, 14,66,22,393 people in the age group of 18-44 years across all states and Union Territories have received their first dose and 76,51,261 their second jab since the start of phase three of the vaccination drive.
Two vaccines, namely Covishield manufactured by the Serum Institute of India and Covaxin manufactured by Bharat Biotech, that have been granted permission for restricted use in emergency situation by the national regulator are being procured by the central government for free supply to states/UTs.
"We need to understand that new variants will emerge one after another but, we need to have focus on protective solution instead of running behind every new variant."
More than 1.05 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses are still available with states and union territories while over 47,43,580 doses are in the pipeline and will reach them within the next three days, the Union health ministry said on Tuesday.
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