WHO congratulates Indian PM Modi on 1bn vaccine doses landmark

India's COVID-19 vaccination drive achieved another milestone with a cumulative administration of over 1 billion vaccine doses on October 21. World Health Organization Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus congratulated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, scientists, health workers, and people of India to protect people from coronavirus.

"Congratulations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the scientists, health workers and people of India, on your efforts to protect the vulnerable populations from COVID-19 and achieve Vaccine Equity targets," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a tweet.

In a landmark achievement, India's cumulative COVID-19 vaccination coverage crossed 1 billion doses on October 21, as per the CoWIN portal.

India's COVID-19 vaccination drive was launched on January 16, 2021. Initially, the vaccination was opened for Health Care Workers (HCWs) only.

As India achieved the milestone of 1 billion vaccination coverage, PM Modi said it was a historic day for the country.

Addressing the launch event of the Infosys Foundation made 806-bedded Vishram Sadan, PM Modi said, "Today, this day of October 21, 2021, has been recorded in history. The nation now has strong armour of 100 crore (1 billion) Covid vaccine doses to combat this biggest pandemic in 100 years." The Prime Minister further said that this achievement belongs to every citizen of India.

"I express my gratitude to all the vaccine manufacturing companies of the country, workers engaged in vaccine transportation, health sector professionals engaged in vaccine development," the prime minister said.

(ANI)