50 crore vaccinated against Covid-19 in India: Nirmala Sitaraman

Visakhapatnam: About 50 crore people across the country were vaccinated against COVID virus, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman said here on Sunday.

Talking to reporters after a visit to the city health centre at Chinna Waltair to inspect the vaccination drive, she said vaccine process was started in January by providing vaccination to frontline personnel like doctors, nurses, paramedical staff, sanitation, police and security staff in the first phase. This was followed by vaccinating those above the age of 65 years, and later for the above 45 years category. At present, those above 18 years were also extended the
benefit, particularly those going abroad for studies and also teachers, she revealed.

The vaccination targets were surpassed by the month of July and now with supply of vaccines set to rise with permission granted to vaccines from foreign players, she expected that the process of vaccinating all would be completed in due course systematically. All vaccines were provided by the Centre free of cost in the country, she stated.

Later, the Finance Minister visited Krishna Devi Peta in Golugonda mandal of the district and paid homage to revolutionary leader Alluri Sitarama Raju and his lieutenant Gantam Dora who fought against the British, at their memorials.