The Government urged states and UTs to increase coverage of the second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. The Centre has also requested them to improve the vaccination force and expand its scope as India pushes ahead to vaccinate all the eligible citizens by the end of 2021.

“So far, 71.24 crore 1st doses covered 76 per cent of the qualified population, and 30.06 crore 2nd shots comprising 32 per cent of the eligible population have been given the Covid-19 vaccines,” the Health Ministry said in a statement. Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said that the detailed lists of remaining beneficiaries could prepare a district-wise 2nd dose plan involving district officers for achievement in a time-bound manner.

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It is recommended that the states and UTs examine the progress of these district-wise plans daily to make sure saturation of all eligible beneficiaries, the Ministry added. It has been advised to recognise and prioritise the districts having low coverage for Covid-19 vaccination and explore demands of mobilisation exercises, address local challenges, need for extra vaccination centres and improve access in rural areas, it said.