PM Narendra Modi lauded the efforts of those associated with the Covid-19 vaccination drive

Over 156 crore (1.56 billion) vaccine doses had been administered as India completed one year of its massive countrywide Covid-19 vaccination campaign on Sunday.

With the administration of more than 66 lakh (66,21,395) vaccine doses in the last 24 hours, India’s Covid-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 156.76 crore (1,56,76,15,454) as per provisional reports till 7 am on Sunday, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said.

About 93 per cent of the eligible population has received the first dose of the vaccine; the figure for the second dose of vaccination stands at 69 per cent.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the efforts of those associated with the Covid-19 vaccination drive in a series of posts on Twitter.

"Today we mark #1YearOfVaccineDrive.

I salute each and every individual who is associated with the vaccination drive.

Our vaccination programme has added great strength to the fight against COVID-19. It has led to saving lives and thus protecting livelihoods," he said on Twitter.

"When the COVID-19 pandemic first struck, we did not know much about the virus. However, our scientists and innovators immersed themselves in developing vaccines," Prime Minister Modi added.

"At the same time, the role of our doctors, nurses and healthcare workers is exceptional. When we see glimpses of people being vaccinated in remote areas, or our healthcare workers taking the vaccines there, our hearts and minds are filled with pride," he tweeted.

"India feels proud that our nation has been able to contribute to fighting the pandemic through vaccines.

India’s approach to fighting the pandemic will always remain science based. We are also augmenting health infrastructure to ensure our fellow citizens get proper care.

Let us keep following all COVID-19 related protocols and overcome the pandemic. #1YearOfVaccineDrive", the Prime Minister said on Twitter.

India launched what has been described as one of the world's largest vaccination drives on January 16 last year. This came exactly two weeks after Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) was granted to two “made in India” vaccines, Oxford-AstraZeneca’s Covishield and Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin.

In the first phase, the drive covered doctors, healthcare workers, frontline workers across India.

On March 1, 2021, vaccinations were started for those above the age of 60 years and those with co-morbidities in the 45-60 year age group.

A month later, all above the age of 45 years became eligible for Covid-19 vaccination.

On May 1, 2021, all adults (18 years and above) became eligible to receive Covid-19 vaccinations.

The adolescent population ( in the 15-18 years age group began receiving Covid-19 vaccines from January 3 this year.

Administration of a precautionary dose of vaccine began for frontline workers and vulnerable people above the age of 60 years from January 10 onwards.